scholarly journals Experience-dependent reorganization drives development of a binocularly unified cortical representation of orientation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Whitney ◽  
Jeremy T. Chang ◽  
David Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
External World ◽  
Neural Representations ◽  
Binocular Stimulation ◽  
Early Developmental ◽  
Dependent Processes

SummaryAcross sensory areas, neural microcircuits consolidate diverse streams of information into unified, representations of the external world. In the carnivore visual cortex, where eye-specific inputs converge, it has been posited that a single, shared columnar representation of orientation develops independent of sensory experience. In this study, in vivo calcium imaging with columnar and cellular resolution reveals a strikingly different developmental process in ferret visual cortex, starting with an early developmental period in which contralateral, ipsilateral or binocular stimulation each yield distinct well-organized representations of orientation that are misaligned at the columnar and cellular scale. Experience-dependent processes drive the reorganization of these three representations towards a single binocularly-aligned representation resembling the early binocular representation through concerted shifts in the preferred orientation of individual neurons. Thus, contrary to previous findings, a unified binocular representation of orientation results from an experience-dependent process that aligns the activity patterns of three distinct neural representations.

scholarly journals Navigating the translational roadblock: Towards highly specific and effective all-optical interrogations of neural circuits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Fu ◽  
Isabelle Arnoux ◽  
Jan Döring ◽  
Hirofumi Watari ◽  
Ignas Stasevicius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
All Optical ◽  
Laser Sources ◽  
Mouse Visual Cortex

AbstractTwo-photon (2-P) all-optical approaches combine in vivo 2-P calcium imaging and 2-P optogenetic modulations and have the potential to build a framework for network-based therapies, e.g. for rebalancing maladaptive activity patterns in preclinical models of neurological disorders. Here, our goal was to tailor these approaches for this purpose: Firstly, we combined in vivo juxtacellular recordings and GCaMP6f-based 2-P calcium imaging in layer II/III of mouse visual cortex to tune our detection algorithm towards a 100 % specific identification of AP-related calcium transients. False-positive-free detection was achieved at a sensitivity of approximately 73 %. To further increase specificity, secondly, we minimized photostimulation artifacts as a potential source for false-positives by using extended-wavelength-spectrum laser sources for optogenetic stimulation of the excitatory opsin C1V1. We achieved artifact-free all-optical experiments performing photostimulations at 1100 nm or higher and simultaneous calcium imaging at 920 nm in mouse visual cortex in vivo. Thirdly, we determined the spectral range for maximizing efficacy of optogenetic control by performing 2-P photostimulations of individual neurons with wavelengths up to 1300 nm. The rate of evoked transients in GCaMP6f/C1V1-co-expressing cortical neurons peaked already at 1100 nm. By refining spike detection and defining 1100 nm as the optimal wavelength for artifact-free and effective stimulations of C1V1 in GCaMP-based all-optical interrogations, we increased the translational value of these approaches, e.g. for the use in preclinical applications of network-based therapies.One Sentence SummaryWe maximize translational relevance of 2-P all-optical physiology by increasing specificity, minimizing artifacts and optimizing stimulation efficacy.

scholarly journals Oxytocin shapes spontaneous activity patterns in the developing visual cortex by activating somatostatin interneurons

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paloma P Maldonado ◽  
Alvaro Nuno-Perez ◽  
Jan Kirchner ◽  
Elizabeth Hammock ◽  
Julijana Gjorgjieva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Spontaneous Activity ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Synaptic Connections ◽  
Pairwise Correlations ◽  
Early Brain Development

SummarySpontaneous network activity shapes emerging neuronal circuits during early brain development, however how neuromodulation influences this activity is not fully understood. Here, we report that the neuromodulator oxytocin powerfully shapes spontaneous activity patterns. In vivo, oxytocin strongly decreased the frequency and pairwise correlations of spontaneous activity events in visual cortex (V1), but not in somatosensory cortex (S1). This differential effect was a consequence of oxytocin only increasing inhibition in V1 and increasing both inhibition and excitation in S1. The increase in inhibition was mediated by the depolarization and increase in excitability of somatostatin+ (SST) interneurons specifically. Accordingly, silencing SST+ neurons pharmacogenetically fully blocked oxytocin’s effect on inhibition in vitro as well its effect on spontaneous activity patterns in vivo. Thus, oxytocin decreases the excitatory/inhibitory ratio and modulates specific features of V1 spontaneous activity patterns that are crucial for refining developing synaptic connections and sensory processing later in life.

In Vivo Calcium Imaging of Neural Network Function

Physiology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 358-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner Göbel ◽  
Fritjof Helmchen
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Network Function ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Calcium Indicators ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
In Vivo Calcium Imaging ◽  
Function Network

Spatiotemporal activity patterns in local neural networks are fundamental to brain function. Network activity can now be measured in vivo using two-photon imaging of cell populations that are labeled with fluorescent calcium indicators. In this review, we discuss basic aspects of in vivo calcium imaging and highlight recent developments that will help to uncover operating principles of neural circuits.

scholarly journals Microendoscopic calcium imaging of the primary visual cortex of behaving macaques

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mineki Oguchi ◽  
Jiang Jiasen ◽  
Toshihide W. Yoshioka ◽  
Yasuhiro R. Tanaka ◽  
Kenichi Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Primary Visual Cortex ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Fluorescent Microscopy ◽  
Orientation Tuning ◽  
Brain Hemispheres ◽  
Neural Activities ◽  
In Vivo Calcium Imaging

AbstractIn vivo calcium imaging with genetically encoded indicators has recently been applied to macaque brains to monitor neural activities from a large population of cells simultaneously. Microendoscopic calcium imaging combined with implantable gradient index lenses captures neural activities from deep brain areas with a compact and convenient setup; however, this has been limited to rodents and marmosets. Here, we developed miniature fluorescent microscopy to image neural activities from the primary visual cortex of behaving macaques. We found tens of clear fluorescent signals from three of the six brain hemispheres. A subset of these neurons showed clear retinotopy and orientation tuning. Moreover, we successfully decoded the stimulus orientation and tracked the cells across days. These results indicate that microendoscopic calcium imaging is feasible and reasonable for investigating neural circuits in the macaque brain by monitoring fluorescent signals from a large number of neurons.

scholarly journals Adaptation of spontaneous activity in the developing visual cortex

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina E Wosniack ◽  
Jan H Kirchner ◽  
Ling-Ya Chao ◽  
Nawal Zabouri ◽  
Christian Lohmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Spontaneous Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Cortical Activation ◽  
Cortical Input ◽  
Visual Inputs ◽  
Eye Opening ◽  
Global Events

Spontaneous activity drives the establishment of appropriate connectivity in different circuits during brain development. In the mouse primary visual cortex, two distinct patterns of spontaneous activity occur before vision onset: local low-synchronicity events originating in the retina and global high-synchronicity events originating in the cortex. We sought to determine the contribution of these activity patterns to jointly organize network connectivity through different activity-dependent plasticity rules. We postulated that local events shape cortical input selectivity and topography, while global events homeostatically regulate connection strength. However, to generate robust selectivity, we found that global events should adapt their amplitude to the history of preceding cortical activation. We confirmed this prediction by analyzing in vivo spontaneous cortical activity. The predicted adaptation leads to the sparsification of spontaneous activity on a slower timescale during development, demonstrating the remarkable capacity of the developing sensory cortex to acquire sensitivity to visual inputs after eye-opening.

scholarly journals Adaptation of spontaneous activity in the developing visual cortex

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina E. Wosniack ◽  
Jan H. Kirchner ◽  
Ling-Ya Chao ◽  
Nawal Zabouri ◽  
Christian Lohmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Spontaneous Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Cortical Activation ◽  
Cortical Input ◽  
Visual Inputs ◽  
Eye Opening ◽  
Global Events

Spontaneous activity drives the establishment of appropriate connectivity in different circuits during brain development. In the mouse primary visual cortex, two distinct patterns of spontaneous activity occur before vision onset: local low-synchronicity events originating in the retina, and global high-synchronicity events originating in the cortex. We sought to determine the contribution of these activity patterns to jointly organize network connectivity through different activity-dependent plasticity rules. We found that local events shape cortical input selectivity and topography, while global events have a homeostatic role regulating connection strength. To generate robust selectivity, we predicted that global events should adapt their amplitude to the history of preceding cortical activation, and confirmed by analyzing in vivo spontaneous cortical activity. This adaptation led to the sparsification of spontaneous activity on a slower timescale during development, demonstrating the remarkable capacity of the developing sensory cortex to acquire sensitivity to visual inputs after eye-opening.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional Two-Photon Optogenetics and Imaging of Neural Circuits in vivo

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weijian Yang ◽  
Luis Carrillo-Reid ◽  
Yuki Bando ◽  
Darcy S. Peterka ◽  
Rafael Yuste
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Cellular Resolution ◽  
Photon Excitation

We demonstrate a holographic system for simultaneous three-dimensional (3D) two-photon stimulation and imaging of neural activity in the mouse neocortex in vivo with cellular resolution. Dual two-photon excitation paths are implemented with independent 3D targeting for calcium imaging and precision optogenetics. We validate the usefulness of the microscope by photoactivating local pools of interneurons in awake mice visual cortex in 3D, which suppress the nearby pyramidal neurons’ response to visual stimuli.

scholarly journals Tracking calcium dynamics from individual neurons in behaving animals

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. e1009432
Author(s):  
Thibault Lagache ◽  
Alison Hanson ◽  
Jesús E. Pérez-Ortega ◽  
Adrienne Fairhall ◽  
Rafael Yuste
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Local Deformation ◽  
Neuron Activity ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Wide Range

Measuring the activity of neuronal populations with calcium imaging can capture emergent functional properties of neuronal circuits with single cell resolution. However, the motion of freely behaving animals, together with the intermittent detectability of calcium sensors, can hinder automatic monitoring of neuronal activity and their subsequent functional characterization. We report the development and open-source implementation of a multi-step cellular tracking algorithm (Elastic Motion Correction and Concatenation or EMC2) that compensates for the intermittent disappearance of moving neurons by integrating local deformation information from detectable neurons. We demonstrate the accuracy and versatility of our algorithm using calcium imaging data from two-photon volumetric microscopy in visual cortex of awake mice, and from confocal microscopy in behaving Hydra, which experiences major body deformation during its contractions. We quantify the performance of our algorithm using ground truth manual tracking of neurons, along with synthetic time-lapse sequences, covering a wide range of particle motions and detectability parameters. As a demonstration of the utility of the algorithm, we monitor for several days calcium activity of the same neurons in layer 2/3 of mouse visual cortex in vivo, finding significant turnover within the active neurons across days, with only few neurons that remained active across days. Also, combining automatic tracking of single neuron activity with statistical clustering, we characterize and map neuronal ensembles in behaving Hydra, finding three major non-overlapping ensembles of neurons (CB, RP1 and RP2) whose activity correlates with contractions and elongations. Our results show that the EMC2 algorithm can be used as a robust and versatile platform for neuronal tracking in behaving animals.

scholarly journals Benchmarking miniaturized microscopy against two-photon calcium imaging using single-cell orientation tuning in mouse visual cortex

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annet Glas ◽  
Mark Huebener ◽  
Tobias Bonhoeffer ◽  
Pieter M Goltstein
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Calcium Imaging ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Orientation Tuning ◽  
Cell Orientation ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Highly Correlated

Miniaturized microscopes are lightweight imaging devices that allow optical recordings from neurons in freely moving animals over the course of weeks. Despite their ubiquitous use, individual neuronal responses measured with these microscopes have not been directly compared to those obtained with established in vivo imaging techniques such as bench-top two-photon microscopes. To achieve this, we performed calcium imaging in mouse primary visual cortex while presenting animals with drifting gratings. We identified the same neurons in image stacks acquired with both microscopy methods and quantified orientation tuning of individual neurons. The response amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio of calcium transients recorded upon visual stimulation were highly correlated between both microscopy methods, although influenced by neuropil contamination in miniaturized microscopy. Tuning properties, calculated for individual orientation tuned neurons, were strongly correlated between imaging techniques. Thus, neuronal tuning features measured with a miniaturized microscope are quantitatively similar to those obtained with a two-photon microscope.

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