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Takahashi M, Veale R. Pathways for Naturalistic Looking Behavior in Primate I: Behavioral Characteristics and Brainstem Circuits. Neuroscience 2023; 532:133-163. [PMID: 37776945 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Organisms control their visual worlds by moving their eyes, heads, and bodies. This control of "gaze" or "looking" is key to survival and intelligence, but our investigation of the underlying neural mechanisms in natural conditions is hindered by technical limitations. Recent advances have enabled measurement of both brain and behavior in freely moving animals in complex environments, expanding on historical head-fixed laboratory investigations. We juxtapose looking behavior as traditionally measured in the laboratory against looking behavior in naturalistic conditions, finding that behavior changes when animals are free to move or when stimuli have depth or sound. We specifically focus on the brainstem circuits driving gaze shifts and gaze stabilization. The overarching goal of this review is to reconcile historical understanding of the differential neural circuits for different "classes" of gaze shift with two inconvenient truths. (1) "classes" of gaze behavior are artificial. (2) The neural circuits historically identified to control each "class" of behavior do not operate in isolation during natural behavior. Instead, multiple pathways combine adaptively and non-linearly depending on individual experience. While the neural circuits for reflexive and voluntary gaze behaviors traverse somewhat independent brainstem and spinal cord circuits, both can be modulated by feedback, meaning that most gaze behaviors are learned rather than hardcoded. Despite this flexibility, there are broadly enumerable neural pathways commonly adopted among primate gaze systems. Parallel pathways which carry simultaneous evolutionary and homeostatic drives converge in superior colliculus, a layered midbrain structure which integrates and relays these volitional signals to brainstem gaze-control circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayu Takahashi
- Department of Systems Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental, Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
| | - Richard Veale
- Department of Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
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2
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Burge J, Dyer CM. Eccentricity strongly modulates visual processing delays. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.30.559991. [PMID: 37808845 PMCID: PMC10557771 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.30.559991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The temporal dynamics of visual information processing varies with the stimulus being processed and with the retinal location that initiates the processing. Here, we present psychophysical data with sub-millisecond precision showing that increasing eccentricity decreases the delay with which stimuli are processed. We show that, even within the central +/-6° of the visual field, processing delays change by a factor of up to three times. A simple model, grounded in retinal physiology, provides a good account of the data. The relative delays are on the order of only milliseconds. But if later processing leaves the delays unresolved, they can cause dramatic misperceptions of motion and 3D layout. We discuss the implications for how the human visual system solves the temporal binding problem across eccentricity. The results highlight the severe computational challenge of obtaining accurate, temporally-unified percepts of the environment with spatiotemporally-staggered processing across the visual field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Burge
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania PA
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania PA
- Bioengineering Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania PA
| | - Callista M Dyer
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania PA
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3
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Santana NNM, Silva EHA, dos Santos SF, Costa MSMO, Nascimento Junior ES, Engelberth RCJG, Cavalcante JS. Retinorecipient areas in the common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus): An image-forming and non-image forming circuitry. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1088686. [PMID: 36817647 PMCID: PMC9932520 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1088686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian retina captures a multitude of diverse features from the external environment and conveys them via the optic nerve to a myriad of retinorecipient nuclei. Understanding how retinal signals act in distinct brain functions is one of the most central and established goals of neuroscience. Using the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a monkey from Northeastern Brazil, as an animal model for parsing how retinal innervation works in the brain, started decades ago due to their marmoset's small bodies, rapid reproduction rate, and brain features. In the course of that research, a large amount of new and sophisticated neuroanatomical techniques was developed and employed to explain retinal connectivity. As a consequence, image and non-image-forming regions, functions, and pathways, as well as retinal cell types were described. Image-forming circuits give rise directly to vision, while the non-image-forming territories support circadian physiological processes, although part of their functional significance is uncertain. Here, we reviewed the current state of knowledge concerning retinal circuitry in marmosets from neuroanatomical investigations. We have also highlighted the aspects of marmoset retinal circuitry that remain obscure, in addition, to identify what further research is needed to better understand the connections and functions of retinorecipient structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelyane Nayara M. Santana
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Eryck H. A. Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Sâmarah F. dos Santos
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Miriam S. M. O. Costa
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Expedito S. Nascimento Junior
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Rovena Clara J. G. Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jeferson S. Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil,*Correspondence: Jeferson S. Cavalcante,
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Tang H, Song R, Hu Y, Tian Y, Lu Z, Chen L, Huang Y. Late Development of Early Visual Perception: No Topology-Priority in Peripheral Vision Until Age 10. Child Dev 2021; 92:1906-1918. [PMID: 34569057 PMCID: PMC8518037 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Topological property (TP) is a basic geometric attribute of objects, which is preserved over continuous and one-to-one transformations and considered to be processed in early vision. This study investigated the global TP perception of 773 children aged 6-14, as compared to 179 adults. The results revealed that adults and children aged 10 or over show a TP priority trend in both central and peripheral vision, that is, less time is required to discriminate TP differences than non-TP differences. Children aged 6-8 show a TP priority trend for central stimuli, but not in their peripheral vision. The TP priority effect in peripheral vision does not emerge until age ˜10 years, and the development of central and peripheral vision seems to be different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongsi Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and BehaviorCAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and ManipulationThe Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI)Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen‐Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science‐Shenzhen Fundamental Research InstitutionsShenzhenChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Rujiao Song
- The Experimental School of Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Yueyan Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and BehaviorCAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and ManipulationThe Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI)Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen‐Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science‐Shenzhen Fundamental Research InstitutionsShenzhenChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yixin Tian
- The Experimental School of Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced TechnologyShenzhenChina
| | - Zhonghua Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and BehaviorCAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and ManipulationThe Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI)Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen‐Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science‐Shenzhen Fundamental Research InstitutionsShenzhenChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lin Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive ScienceInstitute of Biophysics,Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and BehaviorCAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and ManipulationThe Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI)Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenChina
- Shenzhen‐Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science‐Shenzhen Fundamental Research InstitutionsShenzhenChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Bryman GS, Liu A, Do MTH. Optimized Signal Flow through Photoreceptors Supports the High-Acuity Vision of Primates. Neuron 2020; 108:335-348.e7. [PMID: 32846139 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The fovea is a neural specialization that endows humans and other primates with the sharpest vision among mammals. This performance originates in the foveal cones, which are extremely narrow and long to form a high-resolution pixel array. Puzzlingly, this form is predicted to impede electrical conduction to an extent that appears incompatible with vision. We observe the opposite: signal flow through even the longest cones (0.4-mm axons) is essentially lossless. Unlike in most neurons, amplification and impulse generation by voltage-gated channels are dispensable. Rather, sparse channel activity preserves intracellular current, which flows as if unobstructed by organelles. Despite these optimizations, signaling would degrade if cones were lengthier. Because cellular packing requires that cone elongation accompanies foveal expansion, this degradation helps explain why the fovea is a constant, miniscule size despite multiplicative changes in eye size through evolution. These observations reveal how biophysical mechanisms tailor form-function relationships for primate behavioral performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Bryman
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center and Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Center for Life Science 12061, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Andreas Liu
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center and Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Center for Life Science 12061, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Tri H Do
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center and Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Center for Life Science 12061, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Tengölics ÁJ, Szarka G, Ganczer A, Szabó-Meleg E, Nyitrai M, Kovács-Öller T, Völgyi B. Response Latency Tuning by Retinal Circuits Modulates Signal Efficiency. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15110. [PMID: 31641196 PMCID: PMC6806000 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51756-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In the visual system, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of various subtypes encode preprocessed photoreceptor signals into a spike output which is then transmitted towards the brain through parallel feature pathways. Spike timing determines how each feature signal contributes to the output of downstream neurons in visual brain centers, thereby influencing efficiency in visual perception. In this study, we demonstrate a marked population-wide variability in RGC response latency that is independent of trial-to-trial variability and recording approach. RGC response latencies to simple visual stimuli vary considerably in a heterogenous cell population but remain reliable when RGCs of a single subtype are compared. This subtype specificity, however, vanishes when the retinal circuitry is bypassed via direct RGC electrical stimulation. This suggests that latency is primarily determined by the signaling speed through retinal pathways that provide subtype specific inputs to RGCs. In addition, response latency is significantly altered when GABA inhibition or gap junction signaling is disturbed, which further supports the key role of retinal microcircuits in latency tuning. Finally, modulation of stimulus parameters affects individual RGC response delays considerably. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that retinal microcircuits fine-tune RGC response latency, which in turn determines the context-dependent weighing of each signal and its contribution to visual perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Jonatán Tengölics
- MTA-PTE NAP-2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary
| | - Gergely Szarka
- MTA-PTE NAP-2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary
| | - Alma Ganczer
- MTA-PTE NAP-2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary
| | - Edina Szabó-Meleg
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,Department of Biophysics, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA-PTE), Pécs, H-7624, Hungary
| | - Miklós Nyitrai
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,Department of Biophysics, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA-PTE), Pécs, H-7624, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kovács-Öller
- MTA-PTE NAP-2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.,Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary
| | - Béla Völgyi
- MTA-PTE NAP-2 Retinal Electrical Synapses Research Group, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary. .,János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary. .,Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.
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7
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Escobar MJ, Reyes C, Herzog R, Araya J, Otero M, Ibaceta C, Palacios AG. Characterization of Retinal Functionality at Different Eccentricities in a Diurnal Rodent. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:444. [PMID: 30559649 PMCID: PMC6287453 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the properties of the neurons of the visual system that process central and peripheral regions of the visual field have been widely researched in the visual cortex and the LGN, they have scarcely been documented for the retina. The retina is the first step in integrating optical signals, and despite considerable efforts to functionally characterize the different types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), a clear account of the particular functionality of cells with central vs. peripheral fields is still wanting. Here, we use electrophysiological recordings, gathered from retinas of the diurnal rodent Octodon degus, to show that RGCs with peripheral receptive fields (RF) are larger, faster, and have shorter transient responses. This translates into higher sensitivity at high temporal frequencies and a full frequency bandwidth when compared to RGCs with more central RF. We also observed that imbalances between ON and OFF cell populations are preserved with eccentricity. Finally, the high diversity of functional types of RGCs highlights the complexity of the computational strategies implemented in the early stages of visual processing, which could inspire the development of bio-inspired artificial systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- María-José Escobar
- Departamento de Electrónica, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - César Reyes
- Departamento de Electrónica, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Rubén Herzog
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Joaquin Araya
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en NeurocienciaUniversidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mónica Otero
- Departamento de Electrónica, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Ibaceta
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Adrián G. Palacios
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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