Descending control and regulation of spontaneous flight turns in Drosophila

Current Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 34(3), С. 531 - 540.e5

Опубликована: Янв. 15, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Mapping model units to visual neurons reveals population code for social behaviour

Nature, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 629(8014), С. 1100 - 1108

Опубликована: Май 22, 2024

Abstract The rich variety of behaviours observed in animals arises through the interplay between sensory processing and motor control. To understand these sensorimotor transformations, it is useful to build models that predict not only neural responses input 1–5 but also how each neuron causally contributes behaviour 6,7 . Here we demonstrate a novel modelling approach identify one-to-one mapping internal units deep network real neurons by predicting behavioural changes arise from systematic perturbations more than dozen neuronal cell types. A key ingredient introduce ‘knockout training’, which involves perturbing during training match experiments. We apply this model transformations Drosophila melanogaster males complex, visually guided social 8–11 visual projection at interface optic lobe central brain form set discrete channels 12 , prior work indicates channel encodes specific feature drive particular 13,14 Our reaches different conclusion: combinations neurons, including those involved non-social behaviours, male interactions with female, forming population code for behaviour. Overall, our framework consolidates effects elicited various into single, unified model, providing map stimulus type behaviour, enabling future incorporation wiring diagrams 15 model.

Язык: Английский

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Firing feature-driven neural circuits with scalable memristive neurons for robotic obstacle avoidance

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Май 21, 2024

Abstract Neural circuits with specific structures and diverse neuronal firing features are the foundation for supporting intelligent tasks in biology regarded as driver catalyzing next-generation artificial intelligence. Emulating neural hardware underpins engineering highly efficient neuromorphic chips, however, implementing a features-driven functional circuit is still an open question. In this work, inspired by avoidance of crickets, we construct spiking feature-driven sensorimotor control consisting three memristive Hodgkin-Huxley neurons. The ascending neurons exhibit mixed tonic bursting features, which used encoding sensing input. Additionally, innovatively introduce selective communication scheme to decode using two descending We proceed integrate such robot achieve lower latency than conventional platforms. These results provide real brain-like systems driven put constructing high-order machines on agenda.

Язык: Английский

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Activity of a descending neuron associated with visually elicited flight saccades in Drosophila

Current Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Highlights•The descending neuron DNp03 in Drosophila responds to aversive looming stimuli•Its spiking activity is state dependent and correlated with flight saccades•DNp03 provides input other neurons involved controlling turns•Optogenetic activation of can initiate free-flight saccadesSummaryApproaching threats are perceived through visual looming, a rapid expansion an image on the retina. Visual triggers defensive responses such as freezing, flight, turning, or take-off wide variety organisms, from mice fish insects.1,2,3,4 In response flies perform evasive turns known saccades.5 Saccades also be initiated spontaneously change direction during flight.6,7,8,9 Two types (DNs), DNaX DNb01, were previously shown exhibit both spontaneous looming-elicited saccades Drosophila.10,11 As they do not receive direct system, it has remained unclear how visually elicited controlled by nervous system. receives looming-sensitive projection output wing motor neurons12,13 therefore promising candidate for saccades. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings head-fixed flying Drosophila, we showed that ipsilateral behavioral-state-dependent manner. We further explored relates variable behavioral output. Sustained activity, persisting after stimulus, was strongest predictor saccade execution. However, alone cannot fully explain variability responses. Combined optogenetic experiments free these results suggest important but exclusive role saccades, advancing our understanding information transformed into commands maneuvers insects.Graphical abstract

Язык: Английский

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The Synaptic Complexity of a High‐Integration Lobula Giant Neuron in Crabs

The Journal of Comparative Neurology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 533(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Arthropods are diverse, abundant, successful animals that exploit all available ecological niches. They sense the environment, move, interact with prey/predators/conspecifics, learn, and so forth using small brains five orders of magnitude less neurons than mammals. Hence, these need to be efficient in information processing. One distinct aspect is presence large, easily identifiable single act as functional units for processing integrating a high volume from different sources guide behavior. To understand synaptic organization behind high‐integration nodes research on suitable needed. The lobula giant (LGs) found third optic neuropil, lobula, semiterrestrial crabs Neohelice granulata respond moving stimuli, integrate both eyes, show short‐ long‐term plasticity. thought key elements visuomotor transformation guiding escape responses approaching objects. subgroup, MLG1 (monostratified LG type 1), composed 16 have very wide main branches regular arrangement deep layer which allows their identification even unstained preparations. Here, we describe types abundance contacts involving profiles transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We an unexpected diversity motifs apparent compartmentalization dendritic arbor two domains where MLG1s predominantly presynaptic or postsynaptic, respectively. propose variety contact reflects multiple circuits cells involved. Regarding detection objects, distinctive input shared by locusts suggest similar collision‐detecting pathways species.

Язык: Английский

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Descending control of motor sequences in

Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 84, С. 102822 - 102822

Опубликована: Дек. 13, 2023

The descending neurons connecting the fly's brain to its ventral nerve cord respond sensory stimuli and evoke motor programs of varying complexity. Anatomical characterization their synaptic connections suggests how these circuits organize movements, while optogenetic manipulation activity reveals what behaviors they can induce. Monitoring responses or during behavior performance indicates information may encode. Recent advances in all three approaches make an excellent place better understand sensorimotor integration transformation required for nervous systems govern sequences that constitute animal behavior.

Язык: Английский

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Insect Flight: State of the Field and Future Directions

Integrative and Comparative Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 64(2), С. 533 - 555

Опубликована: Июль 8, 2024

The evolution of flight in an early winged insect ancestral lineage is recognized as a key adaptation explaining the unparalleled success and diversification insects. Subsequent transitions modifications to machinery, including secondary reductions losses, also play central role shaping impacts insects on broadscale geographic ecological processes patterns present future. Given importance flight, there has been centuries-long history research debate evolutionary origins biological mechanisms flight. Here, we revisit this from interdisciplinary perspective, discussing recent discoveries regarding developmental origins, physiology, biomechanics, neurobiology sensory control diverse set models. We identify major outstanding questions yet be addressed provide recommendations for overcoming current methodological challenges faced when studying which will allow field continue move forward new exciting directions. By integrating mechanistic work into contexts, hope that synthesis promotes stimulates efforts necessary close many existing gaps about causes consequences evolution.

Язык: Английский

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A deep learning analysis ofDrosophilabody kinematics during magnetically tethered flight

Journal of Neurogenetics, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 37(1-2), С. 47 - 56

Опубликована: Апрель 3, 2023

Flying Drosophila rely on their vision to detect visual objects and adjust flight course. Despite robust fixation a dark, vertical bar, our understanding of the underlying visuomotor neural circuits remains limited, in part due difficulties analyzing detailed body kinematics sensitive behavioral assay. In this study, we observed flying using magnetically tethered assay, which flies are free rotate around yaw axis, enabling naturalistic proprioceptive feedback. Additionally, used deep learning-based video analyses characterize multiple parts animals. By applying pipeline experiments analyses, characterized during rapid turns (or saccades) two different conditions: spontaneous saccades under static screen bar-fixating while tracking rotating bar. We found that both types involved movements overall dynamics were comparable. Our study highlights importance assays analysis tools for characterizing complex behaviors.

Язык: Английский

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Morphology and synapse topography optimize linear encoding of synapse numbers in Drosophila looming responsive descending neurons

Опубликована: Окт. 10, 2024

Synapses are often precisely organized on dendritic arbors, yet the role of synaptic topography in integration remains poorly understood. Utilizing electron microscopy (EM) connectomics we investigate Drosophila melanogaster looming circuits, focusing retinotopically tuned visual projection neurons (VPNs) that synapse onto descending (DNs). a given VPN type project to non-overlapping regions DN dendrites. Within these spatially constrained clusters, synapses not organized, but instead adopt near random distributions. To how this organization strategy impacts integration, developed multicompartment models DNs fitted experimental data and using precise EM morphologies locations. We find dendrite normalize EPSP amplitudes individual inputs distributions ensure linear encoding numbers from VPNs. These findings illuminate influences suggest may be default established through connectivity passive neuron properties, upon which active properties plasticity can then tune as needed.

Язык: Английский

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Descending control and regulation of spontaneous flight turns inDrosophila

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 6, 2023

The clumped distribution of resources in the world has influenced pattern foraging behavior since origins life, selecting for a common locomotor search motif which straight movements through resource-poor regions alternate with zig -zag exploration resource-rich domains. For example, flies execute rapid changes flight heading called body saccades during local search, but suppress these turns long-distance dispersal or when surging upwind after encountering an attractive odor plume. Here, we describe key cellular components neural network that generates spontaneous as well specialized neuron inhibits to promote flight. Using 2-photon imaging, optogenetic activation, and genetic ablation, show only four descending neurons appear sufficient generate commands saccades. is organized into two functional couplets-one right one left-with each couplet consisting excitatory (DNae014) inhibitory (DNb01) project motor neuropil within ventral nerve cord. from recently published connectomes fly brain, identified large, unique interneuron (VES041) forms connections all saccade command created specific driver lines this cell. As suggested by its connectivity, activation VES041 strongly suppresses saccades, suggesting it regulates transition between dispersal. These results thus identify critical elements not structures flies, may also play crucial role their natural ecology.

Язык: Английский

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