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Science 7 September 1973:
Vol. 181. no. 4103, pp. 959 - 960
DOI: 10.1126/science.181.4103.959
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Articles

Behavioral Development after Forelimb Deafferentation on Day of Birth in Monkeys with and without Blinding

Edward Taub 1, Philip Perrella 1, and Gilbert Barro 1

1 Institute for Behavioral Research, 2429 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Four infant monkeys underwent somatosensory deafferentation of both forelimbs within hours after birth. Ambulation, climbing, and reaching toward objects developed spontaneously in each case. Thumb-forefinger prehension could be trained by operant shaping methods. Two infants deafferented at birth and blinded by eyelid closure were retarded in motor development by only 1 to 2 weeks. Results indicate that topographic sensory feedback and autogenetic spinal reflexes are not necessary after birth for the development of most types of movement performed by the forelimb musculature in monkeys.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)