Neuronal Birth Order Identifies a Dimorphic Sensorineural Map

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5157-11.2012
• Publication Date: 2012-03-01T00:58:28Z
• Authors: Jesús Pujol-Martí; Andrea Zecca; Jean-Pierre Baudoin; Adèle Faucherre; Kazuhide Asakawa; Koichi Kawakami; Hernán López-Schier
• Keywords: Mauthner cell; Hindbrain; Biological neural network; Lateral line

Spatially distributed sensory information is topographically mapped in the brain by point-to-point correspondence of connections between peripheral receptors and central target neurons. In fishes, for example, axonal projections from mechanosensory lateral line organize a somatotopic neural map. The provides hydrodynamic intricate behaviors such as navigation prey detection. It also mediates fast startle reactions triggered Mauthner cell. However, it not known how lateralis map built to subserve these contrasting behaviors. Here we reveal that birth order diversifies afferent neurons zebrafish. We demonstrate early- late-born afferents diverge along main axes hindbrain synapse with hundreds second-order targets. early-born projecting primary neuromasts assemble separate converging on dendrite cell, whereas secondary never make physical contact show neuronal diversity topology occur normally animals permanently deprived activity. conclude correlates assembly submaps, whose combination likely govern appropriate behavioral context.