Animals integrate multisensory cues and produce motor outputs resulting in essential behaviors such as predator avoidance or orienting to a stimulus. The optic tectum, and its mammalian homolog, the superior colliculus, serve as an interface for adaptive sensorimotor processing across vertebrate species. The mechanisms regulating the development and plasticity of the midbrain circuitry underlying these essential functions are not well understood. We propose to investigate visual experience-dependent structural and functional plasticity of the development of midbrain circuitry in Xenopus tadpoles and to evaluate circuit function using a visual avoidance assay. We will use in vivo imaging, electrophysiology and behavior to identify and evaluate circuit components and their plasticity in response to visual experience. The proposed research should fill this gap in our knowledge and reveal the role of early sensory experience in the development of highly conserved midbrain circuitry.

Public Health Relevance

The optic tectum, and its mammalian homolog, the superior colliculus, serve as an interface for adaptive sensorimotor processing across vertebrate species. We propose experiments to investigate the development and plasticity of optic tectal circuits required for sensorimotor processing and behavior.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01EY027437-01A1
Application #
9447598
Study Section
Sensorimotor Integration Study Section (SMI)
Program Officer
Flanders, Martha C
Project Start
2018-02-01
Project End
2021-01-31
Budget Start
2018-02-01
Budget End
2019-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
781613492
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
He, Hai-Yan; Shen, Wanhua; Zheng, Lijun et al. (2018) Excitatory synaptic dysfunction cell-autonomously decreases inhibitory inputs and disrupts structural and functional plasticity. Nat Commun 9:2893
Gambrill, Abigail C; Faulkner, Regina L; McKeown, Caroline R et al. (2018) Enhanced visual experience rehabilitates the injured brain in Xenopus tadpoles in an NMDAR-dependent manner. J Neurophysiol :
Gambrill, Abigail C; Faulkner, Regina L; Cline, Hollis T (2018) Direct intertectal inputs are an integral component of the bilateral sensorimotor circuit for behavior in Xenopus tadpoles. J Neurophysiol 119:1947-1961