Telencephalic Input to the Pretectum of Pigeons: An Electrophysiological and Pharmacological Inactivation Study

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 274-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan A. Crowder ◽  
Clayton T. Dickson ◽  
Douglas R.W. Wylie
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Direction Selectivity ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Accessory Optic System ◽  
Optokinetic Response ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Pretectal Nucleus ◽  
Lidocaine Injection ◽  
Spatiotemporal Tuning ◽  
Self Motion

The pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM) and the nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR) of the avian accessory optic system (AOS) are retinal-recipient visual nuclei involved in the analysis of optic flow that results from self-motion, and in the generation of the optokinetic response. Neurons in these nuclei show direction selectivity in response to large-field motion and are tuned in the spatiotemporal domain. In addition to retinal afferentation, both the nBOR and LM receive afferents from the Wulst, which is thought to be the avian homolog of the primary visual cortex. We examined the effects of Wulst electrical stimulation on the activity of LM neurons and recorded the directional and spatiotemporal tuning of LM neurons in pigeons before, during, and after the Wulst was temporarily inactivated by lidocaine injection. In response to Wulst electrical stimulation, LM neurons showed either short-latency excitation followed by longer-latency inhibition (W+ cells), or only a longer-latency inhibition (W– cells). The average response latencies for W+ and W– cells were 13.5 and 28.3 ms, respectively. The effects of Wulst stimulation did not correlate with either the directional or spatiotemporal tuning of the LM neurons. Injection of lidocaine into the nBOR reduced the longer-latency oscillations of W+ and W– cells. When the Wulst was temporarily inactivated by lidocaine neither the directional nor spatiotemporal response properties of LM neurons were affected. The possible functions of the projection from the Wulst to the LM are discussed.

scholarly journals Temporal Frequency and Velocity-Like Tuning in the Pigeon Accessory Optic System

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 1829-1841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan A. Crowder ◽  
Michael R.W. Dawson ◽  
Douglas R.W. Wylie
Keyword(s):  
Motion Detection ◽  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Sine Wave ◽  
Direction Selectivity ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Apparent Velocity ◽  
Correlation Model ◽  
Optic System ◽  
Accessory Optic System ◽  
Optokinetic Response

Neurons in the accessory optic system (AOS) and pretectum are involved in the analysis of optic flow and the generation of the optokinetic response. Previous studies found that neurons in the pretectum and AOS exhibit direction selectivity in response to large-field motion and are tuned in the spatiotemporal domain. Furthermore, it has been emphasized that pretectal and AOS neurons are tuned to a particular temporal frequency, consistent with the “correlation” model of motion detection. We examined the responses of neurons in the nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR) of the AOS in pigeons to large-field drifting sine wave gratings of varying spatial (SF) and temporal frequencies (TF). nBOR neurons clustered into two categories: “Fast” neurons preferred low SFs and high TFs, and “Slow” neurons preferred high SFs and low TFs. The fast neurons were tuned for TF, but the slow nBOR neurons had spatiotemporally oriented peaks that suggested velocity tuning (TF/SF). However, the peak response was not independent of SF; thus we refer to the tuning as “apparent velocity tuning” or “velocity-like tuning.” Some neurons showed peaks in both the fast and slow regions. These neurons were TF-tuned at low SFs, and showed velocity-like tuning at high SFs. We used computer simulations of the response of an elaborated Reichardt detector to show that both the TF-tuning and velocity-like tuning shown by the fast and slow neurons, respectively, may be explained by modified versions of the correlation model of motion detection.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Properties of Fast and Slow Neurons in the Pretectal Nucleus Lentiformis Mesencephali in Pigeons

2000 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 2529-2540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas R. W. Wylie ◽  
Nathan A. Crowder
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Sine Wave ◽  
Accessory Optic System ◽  
Stimulus Velocity ◽  
Preferred Direction ◽  
Pretectal Nucleus ◽  
Contralateral Eye ◽  
Sine Wave Gratings ◽  
Self Motion

Neurons in the pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM) are involved in the analysis of optic flow that results from self-motion. Previous studies have shown that LM neurons have large receptive fields in the contralateral eye, are excited in response to largefield stimuli moving in a particular (preferred) direction, and are inhibited in response to motion in the opposite (anti-preferred) direction. We investigated the responses of LM neurons to sine wave gratings of varying spatial and temporal frequency drifting in the preferred and anti-preferred directions. The LM neurons fell into two categories. “Fast” neurons were maximally excited by gratings of low spatial [0.03–0.25 cycles/° (cpd)] and mid-high temporal frequencies (0.5–16 Hz). “Slow” neurons were maximally excited by gratings of high spatial (0.35–2 cpd) and low-mid temporal frequencies (0.125–2 Hz). Of the slow neurons, all but one preferred forward (temporal to nasal) motion. The fast group included neurons that preferred forward, backward, upward, and downward motion. For most cells (81%), the spatial and temporal frequency that elicited maximal excitation to motion in the preferred direction did not coincide with the spatial and temporal frequency that elicited maximal inhibition to gratings moving in the anti-preferred direction. With respect to motion in the anti-preferred direction, a substantial proportion of the LM neurons (32%) showed bi-directional responses. That is, the spatiotemporal plots contained domains of excitation in addition to the region of inhibition. Neurons tuned to stimulus velocity across different spatial frequency were rare (5%), but some neurons (39%) were tuned to temporal frequency. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies of the responses of neurons in the accessory optic system and pretectum to drifting gratings and other largefield stimuli.

Telencephalic projections to the nucleus of the basal optic root and pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali in pigeons

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOUGLAS R.W. WYLIE ◽  
CATHERINE J. OGILVIE ◽  
NATHAN A. CROWDER ◽  
RYAN R. BARKLEY ◽  
IAN R. WINSHIP
Keyword(s):  
Accessory Optic System ◽  
Optokinetic Response ◽  
Retrograde Labeling ◽  
Somatosensory Information ◽  
Discrete Band ◽  
Cholera Toxin Subunit B ◽  
Pretectal Nucleus ◽  
Anterograde Tracers ◽  
Tracing Techniques ◽  
Biotinylated Dextran

In birds, the nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR) of the accessory optic system (AOS) and the pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM) are involved in the analysis of optic flow and the generation of the optokinetic response. In several species, it has been shown that the AOS and pretectum receive input from visual areas of the telencephalon. Previous studies in pigeons using anterograde tracers have shown that both nBOR and LM receive input from the visual Wulst, the putative homolog of mammalian primary visual cortex. In the present study, we used retrograde and anterograde tracing techniques to further characterize these projections in pigeons. After injections of the retrograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) into either LM or nBOR, retrograde labeling in the telencephalon was restricted to the hyperpallium apicale (HA) of the Wulst. From the LM injections, retrograde labeling appeared as a discrete band of cells restricted to the lateral edge of HA. From the nBOR injections, the retrograde labeling was more distributed in HA, generally dorsal and dorso-medial to the LM-projecting neurons. In the anterograde experiments, biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into HA and individual axons were reconstructed to terminal fields in the LM and nBOR. Those fibers projecting to the nBOR also innervated the adjacent ventral tegmental area. However, tracing of BDA-labeled axons revealed no evidence that individual neurons project to both LM and nBOR. In summary, our results suggest that the nBOR and LM receive input from different areas of the Wulst. We discuss how these projections may transmit visual and/or somatosensory information to the nBOR and LM.

Spatiotemporal Tuning of Optic Flow Inputs to the Vestibulocerebellum in Pigeons: Differences Between Mossy and Climbing Fiber Pathways

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 1266-1277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian R. Winship ◽  
Peter L. Hurd ◽  
Douglas R. W. Wylie
Keyword(s):  
Optic Flow ◽  
Mossy Fiber ◽  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Primary Response ◽  
Climbing Fiber ◽  
Accessory Optic System ◽  
Optokinetic Response ◽  
Preferred Direction ◽  
Spatiotemporal Tuning ◽  
P Cells

The pretectum, accessory optic system (AOS), and vestibulocerebellum (VbC) have been implicated in the analysis of optic flow and generation of the optokinetic response. Recently, using drifting sine-wave gratings as stimuli, it has been shown that pretectal and AOS neurons exhibit spatiotemporal tuning. In this respect, there are two groups: fast neurons, which prefer low spatial frequency (SF) and high temporal frequency (TF) gratings, and slow neurons, which prefer high SF–low TF gratings. In pigeons, there are two pathways from the pretectum and AOS to the VbC: a climbing fiber (CF) pathway to Purkinje cells (P cells) via the inferior olive and a direct mossy fiber (MF) pathway to the granular layer (GL). In the present study, we assessed spatiotemporal tuning in the VbC of ketamine-anesthetized pigeons using standard extracellular techniques. Recordings were made from 17 optic-flow-sensitive units in the GL, presumably granule cells or MF rosettes, and the complex spike activity (CSA) of 39 P-cells, which reflects CF input. Based on spatiotemporal tuning to gratings moving in the preferred direction, eight GL units were classified as fast units, with a primary response to low SF–high TF gratings (mean = 0.13 cpd/8.24 Hz), whereas nine were slow units preferring high SF–low TF gratings (mean = 0.68 cpd/0.30 Hz). CSA was almost exclusively tuned to slow gratings (mean = 0.67 cpd/0.35 Hz). We conclude that MF input to the VbC is from both fast and slow cells in the AOS and pretectum, whereas the CF input is primarily tuned to slow gratings.

Receptive-field properties and neuronal connectivity in striate and parastriate cortex of contour-deprived cats

1976 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Singer ◽  
F. Tretter
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Receptive Field ◽  
Visual Experience ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Direction Selectivity ◽  
Connectivity Pattern ◽  
Area 18 ◽  
Efferent Connections ◽  
Receptive Field Properties ◽  
Areas 17 And 18

An attempt was made to relate the alterations of cortical receptive fields as they result from binocular visual deprivation to changes in afferent, intrinsic, and efferent connections of the striate and parastriate cortex. The experiments were performed in cats aged at least 1 jr with their eyelids sutured closed from birth.The results of the receptive-field analysis in A17 confirmed the reduction of light-responsive cells, the occasional incongruity of receptive-field properties in the two eyes, and to some extent also the loss of orientation and direction selectivity as reported previously. Other properties common to numerous deprived receptive fields were the lack of sharp inhibitory sidebands and the sometimes exceedingly large size of the receptive fields. Qualitatively as well as quantitatively, similar alterations were observed in area 18. A rather high percentage of cells in both areas had, however, preserved at least some orientation preference, and a few receptive fields had tuning properties comparable to those in normal cats. The ability of area 18 cells in normal cats to respond to much higher stimulus velocities than area 17 cells was not influenced by deprivation.The results obtained with electrical stimulation suggest two main deprivation effects: 1) A marked decrease in the safety factor of retinothalamic and thalamocortical transmission. 2) A clear decrease in efficiency of intracortical inhibition. But the electrical stimulation data also show that none of the basic principles of afferent, intrinsic, and efferent connectivity is lost or changed by deprivation. The conduction velocities in the subcortical afferents and the differentiation of the afferents to areas 17 and 18 into slow- and fast-conducting projection systems remain unaltered. Intrinsic excitatory connections remain functional; this is also true for the disynaptic inhibitory pathways activated preferentially by the fast-conducting thalamocortical projection. The laminar distribution of cells with monosynaptic versus polsynaptic excitatory connections is similar to that in normal cats. Neurons with corticofugal axons remain functionally connected and show the same connectivity pattern as those in normal cats. The nonspecific activation system from the mesencephalic reticular formation also remains functioning both at the thalamic and the cortical level.We conclude from these and several other observations that most, if not all, afferent, intrinsic, and efferent connections of areas 17 and 18 are specified from birth and depend only little on visual experience. This predetermined structural plan, however, allows for some freedom in the domain of orientation tuning, binocular correspondence, and retinotopy which is specified only when visual experience is possible.

Perception of Self-Motion From Peripheral Optokinetic Stimulation Suppresses Visual Evoked Responses to Central Stimuli

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 723-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai V. Thilo ◽  
Andreas Kleinschmidt ◽  
Michael A. Gresty
Keyword(s):  
Optical Flow ◽  
Functional Neuroimaging ◽  
Stimulus Change ◽  
Object Motion ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Peripheral Stimulus ◽  
Optokinetic Stimulation ◽  
Central Visual Field ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
Visual Evoked

In a previous functional neuroimaging study we found that early visual areas deactivated when a rotating optical flow stimulus elicited the illusion of self-motion (vection) compared with when it was perceived as a moving object. Here, we investigated whether electrical cortical responses to an independent central visual probe stimulus change as a function of whether optical flow stimulation in the periphery induces the illusion of self-motion or not. Visual-evoked potentials (VEPs) were obtained in response to pattern-reversals in the central visual field in the presence of a constant peripheral large-field optokinetic stimulus that rotated around the naso-occipital axis and induced intermittent sensations of vection. As control, VEPs were also recorded during a stationary peripheral stimulus and showed no difference than those obtained during optokinetic stimulation. The VEPs during constant peripheral stimulation were then divided into two groups according to the time spans where the subjects reported object- or self-motion, respectively. The N70 VEP component showed a significant amplitude reduction when, due to the peripheral stimulus, subjects experienced self-motion compared to when the peripheral stimulus was perceived as object-motion. This finding supplements and corroborates our recent evidence from functional neuroimaging that early visual cortex deactivates when a visual flow stimulus elicits the illusion of self-motion compared with when the same sensory input is interpreted as object-motion. This dampened responsiveness might reflect a redistribution of sensorial and attentional resources when the monitoring of self-motion relies on a sustained and veridical processing of optic flow and may be compromised by other sources of visual input.

Visual Cortex Neurons of Monkeys and Cats: Temporal Dynamics of the Spatial Frequency Response Function

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 2607-2627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Frazor ◽  
Duane G. Albrecht ◽  
Wilson S. Geisler ◽  
Alison M. Crane
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Frequency ◽  
Striate Cortex ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Temporal Integration ◽  
Direction Selectivity ◽  
Response Latencies ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Transient Nature ◽  
Integration Strategies ◽  
Single Fixation

We measured the responses of striate cortex neurons as a function of spatial frequency on a fine time scale, over the course of an interval that is comparable to the duration of a single fixation (200 ms). Stationary gratings were flashed on for 200 ms and then off for 300 ms; the responses were analyzed at sequential 1-ms intervals. We found that 1) the preferred spatial frequency shifts through time from low frequencies to high frequencies, 2) the latency of the response increases as a function of spatial frequency, and 3) the poststimulus time histograms (PSTHs) are relatively shape-invariant across spatial frequency. The dynamic shifts in preferred spatial frequency appear to be a simple consequence of the latency shifts and the transient nature of the PSTH. The effects of these dynamic shifts on the coding of spatial frequency information are examined within the context of several different temporal integration strategies, and pattern-detection performance is determined as a function of the interval of integration, following response onset. The findings are considered within the context of related investigations as well as a number of functional issues: motion selectivity in depth, “coarse-to-fine” processing, direction selectivity, latency as a code for stimulus attributes, and behavioral response latency. Finally, we demonstrate that the results are qualitatively consistent with a simple feedforward model, similar to the one originally proposed in 1962 by Hubel and Wiesel, that incorporates measured differences in the response latencies and the receptive field sizes of different lateral geniculate nucleus inputs.

scholarly journals Responses of pigeon vestibulocerebellar neurons to optokinetic stimulation. I. Functional organization of neurons discriminating between translational and rotational visual flow

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 2632-2646 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Wylie ◽  
T. Kripalani ◽  
B. J. Frost
Keyword(s):  
Functional Organization ◽  
Mossy Fiber ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Direction Selectivity ◽  
Maximum Depth ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Directional Tuning ◽  
Tuning Curves ◽  
Downward Motion ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. Extracellular recordings were made from 235 neurons in the vestibulocerebellum (VbC), including the flocculus (lateral VbC), nodulus (folium X), and ventral uvula (ventral folium IXc,d), of the anesthetized pigeon, in response to an optokinetic stimulus. 2. The optokinetic stimuli consisted of two black and white random-dot patterns that were back-projected onto two large tangent screens. The screens were oriented parallel to each other and placed on either side of the bird's head. The resultant stimulus covered the central 100 degrees x 100 degrees of each hemifield. The directional tuning characteristics of each unit were assessed by moving the largefield stimulus in 12 different directions, 30 degrees apart. The directional tuning curves were performed monocularly or binocularly. The binocular directional tuning curves were performed with the direction of motion the same in both eyes (in-phase; e.g., ipsi = upward, contra = upward) or with the direction of motion opposite in either eye (antiphase; e.g., ipsi = upward, contra = downward). 3. Mossy fiber units (n = 17) found throughout folia IXa,b and IXc,d had monocular receptive fields and exhibited direction selectivity in response to stimulation of either the ipsilateral (n = 12) or contralateral (n = 5) eye. None had binocular receptive fields. 4. The complex spike (CS) activity of 218 Purkinje cells in folia IXc,d and X exhibited direction selectivity in response to the large-field visual stimulus moving in one or both visual fields. Ninety-one percent of the cells had binocular receptive fields that could be classified into four groups: descent neurons (n = 112) preferred upward motion in both eyes; ascent neurons (n = 14) preferred downward motion in both eyes; roll neurons (n = 33) preferred upward and downward motion in the ipsilateral and contralateral eyes, respectively; and yaw neurons (n = 40) preferred forward and backward motion in the ipsilateral and contralateral eyes, respectively. Within all groups, most neurons (70%) showed an ipsilateral dominance. 5. For most binocular neurons (91%), the maximum depth of modulation occurred with simultaneous stimulation of both eyes, compared with monocular stimulation of the dominant eye alone. For the translation neurons (descent and ascent), binocular inphase stimulation produced the maximum depth of modulation, whereas for the rotation neurons (roll and yaw), binocular antiphase stimulation produced the maximum depth of modulation. 6. There was a clear functional segregation of the translation and rotation neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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