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Otto T, Rose J. The open toolbox for behavioral research. Behav Res Methods 2024; 56:4522-4529. [PMID: 37794209 PMCID: PMC11289225 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-023-02199-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we describe a new open-source MATLAB toolbox for the control of behavioral experiments. The toolbox caters to very different types of experiments in different species, and with different underlying hardware. Typical examples are operant chambers in animals, with or without neurophysiology, behavioral experiments in human subjects, and neurophysiological recordings in humans such as EEG and fMRI. In addition, the toolbox supports communication via Ethernet to either control and monitor one or several experimental setups remotely or to implement distributed paradigms across different computers. This flexibility is possible, since the toolbox supports a wide range of hardware, some of which is custom developments. An example is a fast network-based digital-IO device for the communication with experimental hardware such as feeders or triggers in neurophysiological setups. We also included functions for online video analysis allowing paradigms to be contingent on responses to a screen, the head movement of a bird in an operant chamber, or the physical location of an animal in an open arena. While the toolbox is well tested and many components of it have been in use for many years, we do not see it as a finished product but rather a continuing development with a focus on easy extendibility and customization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Otto
- Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Jonas Rose
- Neural Basis of Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany.
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Parishar P, Rajagopalan M, Iyengar S. Changes in the dopaminergic circuitry and adult neurogenesis linked to reinforcement learning in corvids. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1359874. [PMID: 38808028 PMCID: PMC11130420 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1359874] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The caudolateral nidopallium (NCL, an analog of the prefrontal cortex) is known to be involved in learning, memory, and discrimination in corvids (a songbird), whereas the involvement of other brain regions in these phenomena is not well explored. We used house crows (Corvus splendens) to explore the neural correlates of learning and decision-making by initially training them on a shape discrimination task followed by immunohistochemistry to study the immediate early gene expression (Arc), a dopaminoceptive neuronal marker (DARPP-32, Dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32 kDa) to understand the involvement of the reward pathway and an immature neuronal marker (DCX, doublecortin) to detect learning-induced changes in adult neurogenesis. We performed neuronal counts and neuronal tracing, followed by morphometric analyses. Our present results have demonstrated that besides NCL, other parts of the caudal nidopallium (NC), avian basal ganglia, and intriguingly, vocal control regions in house crows are involved in visual discrimination. We have also found that training on the visual discrimination task can be correlated with neurite pruning in mature dopaminoceptive neurons and immature DCX-positive neurons in the NC of house crows. Furthermore, there is an increase in the incorporation of new neurons throughout NC and the medial striatum which can also be linked to learning. For the first time, our results demonstrate that a combination of structural changes in mature and immature neurons and adult neurogenesis are linked to learning in corvids.
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Kobylkov D, Musielak I, Haase K, Rook N, von Eugen K, Dedek K, Güntürkün O, Mouritsen H, Heyers D. Morphology of the "prefrontal" nidopallium caudolaterale in the long-distance night-migratory Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). Neurosci Lett 2022; 789:136869. [PMID: 36100042 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136869] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Migrating birds have developed remarkable navigational capabilities to successfully master biannual journeys between their breeding and wintering grounds. To reach their intended destination, they need to calculate navigational goals from a large variety of natural directional and positional cues to set a meaningful motor output command. One brain area, which has been associated with such executive functions, is the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL), which, due to its striking similarities in terms of neurochemistry, connectivity and function, is considered analogous to the mammalian prefrontal cortex. To establish a baseline for further analyses elucidating the neuronal correlates underlying avian navigation, we performed quantitative and qualitative analyses of dopaminergic fibres in the brains of long-distance night-migratory Eurasian blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla). We identified four regions in the caudal telencephalon, each of which was characterized by its specific dopaminergic innervation pattern. At least three of them presumably constitute subareas of the NCL in Eurasian blackcaps and could thus be involved in integrating navigational input from different sensory systems. The observed heterogeneity and parcellation of the NCL subcompartments in this migratory species could be a consequence of the special demands related to navigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Kobylkov
- Center for Mind/Brain Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, TN, Italy; AG "Neurosensory Sciences", Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Isabelle Musielak
- AG "Neurosensory Sciences", Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Haase
- AG "Neurosensory Sciences", Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Noemi Rook
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum, Germany
| | - Kaya von Eugen
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum, Germany
| | - Karin Dedek
- AG "Neurosensory Sciences", Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany; Research Centre for Neurosensory Sciences, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Onur Güntürkün
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Biopsychology, Ruhr-Universität, Bochum, Germany
| | - Henrik Mouritsen
- AG "Neurosensory Sciences", Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany; Research Centre for Neurosensory Sciences, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Heyers
- AG "Neurosensory Sciences", Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany; Research Centre for Neurosensory Sciences, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg, Germany.
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Frasnelli E. Evolution and function of neurocognitive systems in non-human animals. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23487. [PMID: 34880266 PMCID: PMC8654867 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02736-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Frasnelli
- CIMeC Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy. .,School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7DL, UK.
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A hierarchical processing unit for multi-component behavior in the avian brain. iScience 2021; 24:103195. [PMID: 34703993 PMCID: PMC8524150 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-component behavior is a form of goal-directed behavior that depends on the ability to execute various responses in a precise temporal order. Even though this function is vital for any species, little is known about how non-mammalian species accomplish such behavior and what the underlying neural mechanisms are. We show that humans and a non-mammalian species (pigeons) perform equally well in multi-component behavior and provide a validated experimental approach useful for cross-species comparisons. Applying molecular imaging methods, we identified brain regions most important for the examined behavioral dynamics in pigeons. Especially activity in the nidopallium intermedium medialis pars laterale (NIML) was specific to multi-component behavior since only activity in NIML was predictive for behavioral efficiency. The data suggest that NIML is important for hierarchical processing during goal-directed behavior and shares functional characteristics with the human inferior frontal gyrus in multi-component behavior. Pigeons and humans perform equally well in the STOP-CHANGE paradigm We identified relevant brain regions for the examined behavioral dynamics in pigeons ZENK expression in NIML was predictive for behavioral efficiency This study provides a validated experimental approach for cross-species comparisons
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Rook N, Tuff JM, Isparta S, Masseck OA, Herlitze S, Güntürkün O, Pusch R. AAV1 is the optimal viral vector for optogenetic experiments in pigeons (Columba livia). Commun Biol 2021; 4:100. [PMID: 33483632 PMCID: PMC7822860 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01595-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Although optogenetics has revolutionized rodent neuroscience, it is still rarely used in other model organisms as the efficiencies of viral gene transfer differ between species and comprehensive viral transduction studies are rare. However, for comparative research, birds offer valuable model organisms as they have excellent visual and cognitive capabilities. Therefore, the following study establishes optogenetics in pigeons on histological, physiological, and behavioral levels. We show that AAV1 is the most efficient viral vector in various brain regions and leads to extensive anterograde and retrograde ChR2 expression when combined with the CAG promoter. Furthermore, transient optical stimulation of ChR2 expressing cells in the entopallium decreases pigeons' contrast sensitivity during a grayscale discrimination task. This finding demonstrates causal evidence for the involvement of the entopallium in contrast perception as well as a proof of principle for optogenetics in pigeons and provides the groundwork for various other methods that rely on viral gene transfer in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Rook
- Department of Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - John Michael Tuff
- Department of Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sevim Isparta
- Department of Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Şht. Ömer Halisdemir Blv, 06110, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Stefan Herlitze
- Department of General Zoology and Neurobiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Onur Güntürkün
- Department of Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Roland Pusch
- Department of Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
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