The spike potential is a sharply timed positivity which precedes eye moveme
nts in adults, and is thought to indicate cortical planning of saccades. Wh
ile the spike potential is observed under most conditions in adults, it has
not been reported in young infants. In the present study we shed light on
the ontogeny of the spike potential by demonstrating for the first time its
existence in a group of older infants (12 months). This result is consiste
nt with a relatively delayed onset of cortical control over saccades during
development. NeuroReport 11:1069-1073 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilki
ns.