! How the brain combines sensory stimuli from di?erent modalities to guide behavior is currently not understood at a single-cell level. Here we propose to use the model organism Drosophila to investigate the neural circuit basis of multi-sensory integration in the context of two speci?c orientation behaviors developed in our lab. In one paradigm, odor switches the orientation of walking ?ies to a wind (mechanosensory) cue: ?ies orient downwind in the absence of odor and upwind in the presence of an attractive odor. In the second paradigm, an aversive wind stimulus and attractive visual stimulus sum to guide orientation of a tethered ?ying ?y. We have discovered a novel mechanosensory pathway that computes wind direction from movements of the ?y's antennae, and transmits this information to the central complex, a region of the brain implicated in navigation. Combined with information from the literature and preliminary data from our own lab, this suggests a model for how di?erent sensory streams might be aligned and integrated within the central complex. We propose to use optogenetic activation, chemogenetic silencing, whole-cell electrophysiology, and functional imaging to test the role of candidate central complex neurons in multi-sensory control of orientation. We will additionally test the alternative hypothesis that multi-sensory integration in descending neurons is required for the two behaviors. This study will provide a comprehensive cellular-level account of how sensory streams are combined to control the orientation of a model organism.!

Public Health Relevance

Moving through the world requires us to combine information from our eyes, ears, and nose. Where and how such information is integrated to guide movement is poorly understood. Here we will use the fruit ?y to understand how multiple stimuli combine to guide behavior.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC017979-02
Application #
9937703
Study Section
Sensorimotor Integration Study Section (SMI)
Program Officer
Sullivan, Susan L
Project Start
2019-07-01
Project End
2024-06-30
Budget Start
2020-07-01
Budget End
2021-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016