The tectum/superior colliculus as the vertebrate solution for spatial sensory integration and action

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(11), P. R741 - R762

Published: June 1, 2021

The superior colliculus, or tectum in the case of non-mammalian vertebrates, is a part brain that registers events surrounding space, often through vision and hearing, but also electrosensation, infrared detection, other sensory modalities diverse vertebrate lineages. This information used to form maps space positions different salient stimuli relation individual. are arranged layers with visual input uppermost layer, senses deeper positions, spatially aligned motor map deepest layer. Here, we will review organization intrinsic function tectum/superior colliculus processed within tectal circuits. We discuss tectal/superior outputs conveyed directly downstream circuits via thalamus cortical areas control various aspects behavior. evolutionarily conserved among all tailored specialties each lineage, its roles have shifted emergence cerebral cortex mammals. illustrate both divergent properties evolution by comparing processing lampreys belonging oldest group extant larval zebrafish, rodents, vertebrates including primates.

Language: Английский

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Automated synapse-level reconstruction of neural circuits in the larval zebrafish brain

Nature Methods, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 19(11), P. 1357 - 1366

Published: Oct. 24, 2022

Abstract Dense reconstruction of synaptic connectivity requires high-resolution electron microscopy images entire brains and tools to efficiently trace neuronal wires across the volume. To generate such a resource, we sectioned imaged larval zebrafish brain by serial block-face at voxel size 14 × 25 nm 3 . We segmented resulting dataset with flood-filling network algorithm, automated detection chemical synapses validated results comparisons transmission microscopic light-microscopic reconstructions. Neurons their connections are stored in form queryable expandable digital address book. reconstructed 208 neurons involved visual motion processing, most them located pretectum, which had been functionally characterized same specimen two-photon calcium imaging. Moreover, mapped all 407 presynaptic postsynaptic partners two superficial interneurons tectum. The resource developed here serves as foundation for synaptic-resolution circuit analyses nervous system.

Language: Английский

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Subsets of extraocular motoneurons produce kinematically distinct saccades during hunting and exploration

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Binocular Vision and Stereopsis Across the Animal Kingdom

Annual Review of Vision Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 389 - 415

Published: July 20, 2021

Most animals have at least some binocular overlap, i.e., a region of space that is viewed by both eyes. This reduces the overall visual field and raises problem combining two views world, seen from different vantage points, into coherent whole. However, vision also offers many potential advantages, including increased ability to see around obstacles contrast sensitivity. One particularly interesting use for comparing information eyes derive about depth. There are ways in which this might be done, but review, I refer them all under general heading stereopsis. review examines possible uses stereopsis compares what currently known neural basis taxa. Studying helps us break free preconceptions stemming way operates human provides new insights forms

Language: Английский

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From perception to behavior: The neural circuits underlying prey hunting in larval zebrafish

Frontiers in Neural Circuits, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 17

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

A key challenge for neural systems is to extract relevant information from the environment and make appropriate behavioral responses. The larval zebrafish offers an exciting opportunity studying these sensing processes sensory-motor transformations. Prey hunting instinctual behavior of that requires brain combine different attributes sensory input form motor outputs. Due its small size transparency allows optical recording whole-brain activity reveal mechanisms involved in prey capture. In this review we discuss how visual identify locate prey, circuits governing generation commands response can be modulated by internal states experience, some outstanding questions field.

Language: Английский

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Predicting modular functions and neural coding of behavior from a synaptic wiring diagram

Nature Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 22, 2024

A long-standing goal in neuroscience is to understand how a circuit's form influences its function. Here, we reconstruct and analyze synaptic wiring diagram of the larval zebrafish brainstem predict key functional properties validate them through comparison with physiological data. We identify modules strongly connected neurons that turn out be specialized for different behavioral functions, control eye body movements. The movement module further organized into two three-block cycles support positive feedback long hypothesized underlie low-dimensional attractor dynamics oculomotor control. construct neural network model based directly on reconstructed makes predictions cellular-resolution coding position dynamics. These are verified statistically calcium imaging-based activity recordings. This work demonstrates connectome-based brain modeling can reveal previously unknown anatomical structure circuit provide insights linking authors determine vertebrate behaviorally associated modules. this connectome predicts imaging

Language: Английский

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Dense Circuit Reconstruction to Understand Neuronal Computation: Focus on Zebrafish

Annual Review of Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 44(1), P. 275 - 293

Published: March 17, 2021

The dense reconstruction of neuronal wiring diagrams from volumetric electron microscopy data has the potential to generate fundamentally new insights into mechanisms information processing and storage in circuits. Zebrafish provide unique opportunities for dynamical connectomics approaches that combine reconstructions with measurements population activity behavior. Such have power reveal higher-order structure cannot be detected by sparse sampling connectivity is essential computations. In brain stem, recurrently connected modules were identified can account slow, low-dimensional dynamics an integrator circuit. spinal cord, specifies functional differences between premotor interneurons. olfactory bulb, tuning-dependent implements a whitening transformation based on selective suppression responses overrepresented stimulus features. These findings illustrate zebrafish analyze circuit underlying

Language: Английский

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Efficacy of Tricaine (MS-222) and Hypothermia as Anesthetic Agents for Blocking Sensorimotor Responses in Larval Zebrafish

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: March 28, 2022

Tricaine, or MS-222, is the most commonly used chemical anesthetic in zebrafish research. It thought to act via blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, though its mechanism of action, particularly at neuronal level, not yet fully understood. Here, we first characterized effects tricaine on both body balance and touch responses freely swimming animals, before determining effect neural activity underlying optokinetic response level motion perception, sensorimotor signaling generation behavior immobilized animals. We found that standard dose for larvae (168 mg/L) induced loss righting reflex within 30 seconds, which then recovered 3 minutes. Optokinetic 15 Calcium imaging showed interferes with by interruption signals between pretectum hindbrain. The sensitivity indices identified sensory neurons were unchanged exposed tricaine, fewer such detected, leaving a small population active neurons. compared gradual cooling, potential non-chemical alternative method anesthesia. While tuning appeared be affected similar manner during cooling surge calcium levels This surge, alongside drop heartrate, potentially associated harmful changes physiology suggests better agent than laboratory

Language: Английский

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A Critical Review of Zebrafish Neurological Disease Models−2. Application: Functional and Neuroanatomical Phenotyping Strategies and Chemical Screens

Oxford Open Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Dec. 9, 2022

Abstract Extensive phylogenetic conservation of molecular pathways and neuroanatomical structures, associated with efficient methods for genetic modification, have been exploited increasingly to generate zebrafish models human disease. A range powerful approaches can be deployed analyze these the ultimate goal elucidating pathogenic mechanisms accelerating efforts find effective treatments. Unbiased neurobehavioral assays provide readouts that parallel clinical abnormalities found in patients, although some most useful quantify responses are not routinely evaluated clinically, differences between brains preclude expression full seen Imaging use fluorescent reporters standardized brain atlases coupled quantitative measurements structure offer an unbiased means link experimental manipulations changes neural architecture. Together, structural functional analyses allow dissection cellular physiological basis underlying neurological phenotypes. These used as outputs chemical modifier screens, which a major opportunity exploit identify small molecule modulators pathophysiology may informative understanding disease possible therapeutic approaches.

Language: Английский

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Ramp-to-threshold dynamics in a hindbrain population controls the timing of spontaneous saccades

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: July 6, 2021

Organisms have the capacity to make decisions based solely on internal drives. However, it is unclear how neural circuits form in absence of sensory stimuli. Here we provide a comprehensive map activity patterns underlying generation saccades made visual We perform calcium imaging larval zebrafish discover range responses surrounding spontaneous saccades, from cells that display tonic discharge only during fixations neurons whose rises advance by multiple seconds. When lesion these populations find ablation with pre-saccadic rise delays saccade initiation. analyze initiation using ramp-to-threshold model and are able predict times upcoming activity. These findings suggest ramping neuronal bound critical component self-initiated saccadic movements.

Language: Английский

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