scholarly journals Characterization of a thalamic nucleus mediating habenula responses to change in illumination

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruey-Kuang Cheng ◽  
Seetha Krishnan ◽  
Qian Lin ◽  
Caroline Kibat ◽  
Suresh Jesuthasan
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pineal Organ ◽  
Thalamic Nucleus ◽  
Larval Zebrafish ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Anterior Thalamus ◽  
Response To Change ◽  
Stimulation Of

AbstractBackgroundNeural activity in the vertebrate habenula is affected by changes in ambient illumination. The nucleus that links photoreceptors with the habenula is not well characterized. Here, we describe the location, inputs and potential function of this nucleus in larval zebrafish.ResultsHigh-speed calcium imaging shows that onset and offset of light evokes a rapid response in the dorsal left neuropil of the habenula, indicating preferential targeting of this neuropil by afferents mediating response to change in irradiance. Injection of a lipophilic dye into this neuropil led to bilateral labeling of a nucleus in the anterior thalamus that responds to onset and offset of light, and that receives innervation from the retina and pineal organ. Lesioning the neuropil of this thalamic nucleus reduced the habenula response to light. Optogenetic stimulation of the thalamus with channelrhodopsin-2 caused depolarization in the habenula, while manipulation with anion channelrhodopsins inhibited habenula response to light and disrupted climbing and diving that is evoked by irradiance change.ConclusionsA nucleus in the anterior thalamus of larval zebrafish innervates the dorsal left habenula. This nucleus receives input from the retina and pineal, responds to increase and decrease in irradiance, enables habenula responses to change in irradiance, and may function in light-evoked vertical migration.

scholarly journals A pretectal command system controls hunting behaviour

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paride Antinucci ◽  
Mónica Folgueira ◽  
Isaac H. Bianco
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
List Type ◽  
Specific Population ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Larval Zebrafish ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Hunting Behaviour ◽  
Action Sequences ◽  
Innate Behaviour ◽  
Stimulation Of

AbstractFor many species, hunting is an innate behaviour that is crucial for survival, yet the circuits that control predatory action sequences are poorly understood. We used larval zebrafish to identify a command system that controls hunting. By combining calcium imaging with a virtual hunting assay, we identified a discrete pretectal region that is selectively active when animals initiate hunting. Targeted genetic labelling allowed us to examine the function and morphology of individual cells and identify two classes of pretectal neuron that project to ipsilateral optic tectum or the contralateral tegmentum. Optogenetic stimulation of single neurons of either class was able to induce sustained hunting sequences, in the absence of prey. Furthermore, laser ablation of these neurons impaired prey-catching and prevented induction of hunting by optogenetic stimulation of the anterior-ventral tectum. In sum, we define a specific population of pretectal neurons that functions as a command system to drive predatory behaviour.Key findingsPretectal neurons are recruited during hunting initiationOptogenetic stimulation of single pretectal neurons can induce predatory behaviourAblation of pretectal neurons impairs huntingPretectal cells comprise a command system controlling hunting behaviour

scholarly journals Pretectal neurons control hunting behaviour

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paride Antinucci ◽  
Mónica Folgueira ◽  
Isaac H Bianco
Keyword(s):  
Optic Tectum ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Specific Population ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Larval Zebrafish ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Hunting Behaviour ◽  
Action Sequences ◽  
Innate Behaviour ◽  
Stimulation Of

For many species, hunting is an innate behaviour that is crucial for survival, yet the circuits that control predatory action sequences are poorly understood. We used larval zebrafish to identify a population of pretectal neurons that control hunting. By combining calcium imaging with a virtual hunting assay, we identified a discrete pretectal region that is selectively active when animals initiate hunting. Targeted genetic labelling allowed us to examine the function and morphology of individual cells and identify two classes of pretectal neuron that project to ipsilateral optic tectum or the contralateral tegmentum. Optogenetic stimulation of single neurons of either class was able to induce sustained hunting sequences, in the absence of prey. Furthermore, laser ablation of these neurons impaired prey-catching and prevented induction of hunting by optogenetic stimulation of the anterior-ventral tectum. We propose that this specific population of pretectal neurons functions as a command system to induce predatory behaviour.

scholarly journals Neuropeptide VF neurons promote sleep via the serotonergic raphe

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Lee ◽  
Grigorios Oikonomou ◽  
Tasha Cammidge ◽  
Young Hong ◽  
David A. Prober
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Neural Circuit ◽  
Raphe Nuclei ◽  
Hypothalamic Neurons ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Genetic Epistasis ◽  
Normal Sleep ◽  
Genetic Labeling ◽  
Raphé Nuclei ◽  
Stimulation Of

ABSTRACTAlthough several sleep-regulating neurons have been identified, little is known about how they interact with each other for sleep/wake control. We previously identified neuropeptide VF (NPVF) and the hypothalamic neurons that produce it as a sleep-promoting system (Lee et al., 2017). Here we use zebrafish to describe a neural circuit in which neuropeptide VF (npvf)-expressing neurons control sleep via the serotonergic raphe nuclei (RN), a hindbrain structure that promotes sleep in both diurnal zebrafish and nocturnal mice. Using genetic labeling and calcium imaging, we show that npvf-expressing neurons innervate and activate serotonergic RN neurons. We additionally demonstrate that optogenetic stimulation of npvf-expressing neurons induces sleep in a manner that requires NPVF and is abolished when the RN are ablated or lack serotonin. Finally, genetic epistasis demonstrates that NPVF acts upstream of serotonin in the RN to maintain normal sleep levels. These findings reveal a novel hypothalamic-hindbrain circuit for sleep/wake control.

Locomotor repertoire of the larval zebrafish: swimming, turning and prey capture

2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (17) ◽  
pp. 2565-2579 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Budick ◽  
D.M. O'Malley
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Neural Control ◽  
Prey Capture ◽  
Larval Fish ◽  
Large Angle ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Behavior Patterns ◽  
Brachydanio Rerio ◽  
Larval Zebrafish

Larval zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) are a popular model system because of their genetic attributes, transparency and relative simplicity. They have approximately 200 neurons that project from the brainstem into the spinal cord. Many of these neurons can be individually identified and laser-ablated in intact larvae. This should facilitate cellular-level characterization of the descending control of larval behavior patterns. Towards this end, we attempt to describe the range of locomotor behavior patterns exhibited by zebrafish larvae. Using high-speed digital imaging, a variety of swimming and turning behaviors were analyzed in 6- to 9-day-old larval fish. Swimming episodes appeared to fall into two categories, with the point of maximal bending of the larva's body occurring either near the mid-body (burst swims) or closer to the tail (slow swims). Burst swims also involved larger-amplitude bending, faster speeds and greater yaw than slow swims. Turning behaviors clearly fell into two distinct categories: fast, large-angle escape turns characteristic of escape responses, and much slower routine turns lacking the large counterbend that often accompanies escape turns. Prey-capture behaviors were also recorded. They were made up of simpler locomotor components that appeared to be similar to routine turns and slow swims. The different behaviors observed were analyzed with regard to possible underlying neural control systems. Our analysis suggests the existence of discrete sets of controlling neurons and helps to explain the need for the roughly 200 spinal-projecting nerve cells in the brainstem of the larval zebrafish.

scholarly journals Neuropeptide VF neurons promote sleep via the serotonergic raphe

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A Lee ◽  
Grigorios Oikonomou ◽  
Tasha Cammidge ◽  
Andrey Andreev ◽  
Young Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Genetic Evidence ◽  
Neuronal Circuit ◽  
Hypothalamic Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Populations ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Normal Sleep ◽  
Genetic Labeling ◽  
Raphé Nuclei ◽  
Stimulation Of

Although several sleep-regulating neuronal populations have been identified, little is known about how they interact with each other to control sleep/wake states. We previously identified neuropeptide VF (NPVF) and the hypothalamic neurons that produce it as a sleep-promoting system (Lee et al., 2017). Here we show using zebrafish that npvf-expressing neurons control sleep via the serotonergic raphe nuclei (RN), a hindbrain structure that is critical for sleep in both diurnal zebrafish and nocturnal mice. Using genetic labeling and calcium imaging, we show that npvf-expressing neurons innervate and can activate serotonergic RN neurons. We also demonstrate that chemogenetic or optogenetic stimulation of npvf-expressing neurons induces sleep in a manner that requires NPVF and serotonin in the RN. Finally, we provide genetic evidence that NPVF acts upstream of serotonin in the RN to maintain normal sleep levels. These findings reveal a novel hypothalamic-hindbrain neuronal circuit for sleep/wake control.

scholarly journals Calcium Imaging Reveals Host-Graft Synaptic Network Formation in Spinal Cord Injury

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ceto ◽  
KJ Sekiguchi ◽  
Y Takashima ◽  
A Nimmerjahn ◽  
MH Tuszynski
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Progenitor Cell ◽  
Neural Progenitor Cell ◽  
Neural Progenitor ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Stimulation Of

SummaryNeural stem/progenitor cell grafts integrate into sites of spinal cord injury (SCI) and form anatomical and electrophysiological neuronal relays across lesions. To determine how grafts become synaptically organized and connect with host systems, we performed calcium imaging of neural progenitor cell grafts within sites of SCI, using both in vivo imaging and spinal cord slices. Stem cell grafts organize into localized synaptic networks that are spontaneously active. Following optogenetic stimulation of host corticospinal tract axons regenerating into grafts, distinct and segregated neuronal networks respond throughout the graft. Moreover, optogenetic stimulation of graft axons extending out from the lesion into the denervated spinal cord also trigger responses in local host neuronal networks. In vivo imaging reveals that behavioral stimulation of host elicits focal synaptic responses within grafts. Thus, remarkably, neural progenitor cell grafts form functional synaptic subnetworks in patterns paralleling the normal spinal cord.

scholarly journals Peripheral optogenetic stimulation induces whisker movement and sensory perception in head-fixed mice

eLife ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunmee Park ◽  
Akhil Bandi ◽  
Christian R Lee ◽  
David J Margolis
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Sensory Perception ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Peripheral Stimulation ◽  
Similar Dependence ◽  
Whisker Pad ◽  
Whisker Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

We discovered that optical stimulation of the mystacial pad in Emx1-Cre;Ai27D transgenic mice induces whisker movements due to activation of ChR2 expressed in muscles controlling retraction and protraction. Using high-speed videography in anesthetized mice, we characterize the amplitude of whisker protractions evoked by varying the intensity, duration, and frequency of optogenetic stimulation. Recordings from primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in anesthetized mice indicated that optogenetic whisker pad stimulation evokes robust yet longer latency responses than mechanical whisker stimulation. In head-fixed mice trained to report optogenetic whisker pad stimulation, psychometric curves showed similar dependence on stimulus duration as evoked whisker movements and S1 activity. Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of S1 in expert mice was sufficient to substitute for peripheral stimulation. We conclude that whisker protractions evoked by optogenetic activation of whisker pad muscles results in cortical activity and sensory perception, consistent with the coding of evoked whisker movements by reafferent sensory input.

scholarly journals Delta Frequency Optogenetic Stimulation of the Thalamic Nucleus Reuniens Is Sufficient to Produce Working Memory Deficits: Relevance to Schizophrenia

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 1098-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aranda R. Duan ◽  
Carmen Varela ◽  
Yuchun Zhang ◽  
Yinghua Shen ◽  
Lealia Xiong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Thalamic Nucleus ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Nucleus Reuniens ◽  
Optogenetic Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

scholarly journals Masking of a circadian behavior in larval zebrafish involves the thalamo-habenula pathway

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Lin ◽  
Suresh Jesuthasan
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Blue Light ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Thalamic Nucleus ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Larval Zebrafish ◽  
Circadian Behavior

AbstractLight has the ability to disrupt or mask behavior that is normally controlled by the circadian clock. In mammals, masking requires melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells that detect blue light and project to the thalamus. It is not known whether masking is wavelength-dependent in other vertebrates, nor is it clear what higher circuits are involved. Here, we address these questions in zebrafish. We find that diel vertical migration, a circadian behavior in larval zebrafish, is effectively masked by blue, but not by red light. Two-photon calcium imaging reveals that a retino-recipient thalamic nucleus and a downstream structure, the habenula, are tuned to blue light. Lesioning the habenula inhibits light-evoked climbing. These data suggest that a thalamo-habenula pathway may be involved in the ability of blue light to mask circadian behavior.

Characterization of early and late cerebral evoke responses (CEP) to stimulation of afferent esophageal pathways in humans

2001 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. A630-A630
Author(s):  
C DIENEFELD ◽  
R BECKER ◽  
M KAMATH ◽  
G TOUGAS ◽  
M HAUPTS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stimulation Of
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