Pharmacological analysis of the spatiotemporal activity pattern in the chicken optic tectum

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Pharmacological analysis of the spatiotemporal activity pattern in the chicken optic tectum Stefan Weigel1* and Harald Luksch1 1 Technische Universität München, Zoology, Germany The midbrain is an important processing area for sensory information in vertebrates. The optic tectum (TeO) and its mammalian counterpart, the superior colliculus, receive multimodal, topographic information and contain a sensory map which plays a role in spatial attention and in orientation movements. In avian, the TeO consists of 15 layers including separated input and output areas making it an ideal model system to study multimodal integration. Previous studies have mostly focused on characterization of particular cell types or cytochemistry. Only few studies have investigated network activation throughout the depth of the tectum. Our aim is to analyze the architecture and function of tectal local neuronal circuitry as well as the interplay between the TeO and modulatory midbrain areas e.g. the nuclei isthmi. To understand those complex interactions, we need to explore the spatiotemporal activity patterns with respect to the general cytoarchitecture of the TeO. We use an optical imaging approach with voltage sensitive dyes (RH795) to investigate population responses at a high temporal and spatial resolution in a chicken midbrain slice preparation. Thus, we can match activity patterns to the general layout of the TeO based on histological data. Based on histological data we can roughly link our findings with the general layout of the avian TeO. Here, we show inter- and intralaminar neuronal activities under different pharmacological regimes. The TeO section was activated by electrical stimulation of afferent layers, which mimicked the input from retinal ganglion cells. This evoked a two-component neuronal response consisting of a short (~10 ms) and a long-lasting component (up to several hundred ms) extending (i) in layer 5, where horizontally aligned neurons are located, and (ii) into deeper layers along radial oriented neurons. Ca2+-free solution and AMPA receptor restricted activity to the site of stimulation, indicating that most of the signal was postsynaptic and glutamatergic. Disinhibition enhanced signal amplitudes and spatial extent of the excitation. Interestingly, cholinergic transmitters were important in retention of the inhibition in the slice preparation indicating complex local networks. We will propose a simple model for the circuitry in the TeO. Keywords: avian, brain slice, midbrain, multimodal, optic tectum, visual, voltage sensitive dye imaging Conference: BC11 : Computational Neuroscience & Neurotechnology Bernstein Conference & Neurex Annual Meeting 2011, Freiburg, Germany, 4 Oct - 6 Oct, 2011. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: sensory processing (please use "sensory processing" as keyword) Citation: Weigel S and Luksch H (2011). Pharmacological analysis of the spatiotemporal activity pattern in the chicken optic tectum. Front. Comput. Neurosci. Conference Abstract: BC11 : Computational Neuroscience & Neurotechnology Bernstein Conference & Neurex Annual Meeting 2011. doi: 10.3389/conf.fncom.2011.53.00136 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 23 Aug 2011; Published Online: 04 Oct 2011. * Correspondence: Dr. Stefan Weigel, Technische Universität München, Zoology, Freising, 85354, Germany, stefan.weigel@wzw.tum.de Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Stefan Weigel Harald Luksch Google Stefan Weigel Harald Luksch Google Scholar Stefan Weigel Harald Luksch PubMed Stefan Weigel Harald Luksch Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.