Genetically encoded fluorescent probes of neural activity represent new promising tools for systems neuroscience. Here, we present a comparative in vivo analysis 10 different genetically calcium indicators, as well the pH-sensitive synapto-pHluorin. We analyzed their fluorescence changes presynaptic boutons Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction. Robust did not result any or noteworthy when Flash-Pericam, Camgaroo-1, and Camgaroo-2 were expressed. However, calculated on raw data,...

Motion vision is essential for navigating through the environment. Due to its genetic amenability, fruit fly Drosophila has been serving a lengthy period as model organism studying optomotor behavior elicited by large-field horizontal motion. However, neurons underlying control of this have not studied in so far. Here we report first whole cell recordings from three cells system (HSN, HSE, and HSS) lobula plate Drosophila. All HS are tuned motion direction-selective way; they become excited...

Resolving patterns of synaptic connectivity in neural circuits currently requires serial section electron microscopy. However, complete circuit reconstruction is prohibitively slow and may not be necessary for many purposes such as comparing neuronal structure among multiple animals. Here, we present an alternative strategy, targeted specific types. We used viral vectors to deliver peroxidase derivatives, which catalyze production electron-dense tracer, genetically identify neurons,...

When confronted with a large-field stimulus rotating around the vertical body axis, flies display following behavior called “optomotor response.” As neural control elements, large tangential horizontal system (HS) cells of lobula plate have been prime candidates for long. Here, we applied optogenetic stimulation HS to evaluate their behavioral role in Drosophila . To minimize interference optical activation channelrhodopsin-2 visual perception flies, used bistable variant ChR2-C128S. By...

Novelty facilitates memory formation and is detected by both the dorsal ventral hippocampus. Although dentate granule cells (GCs) in hippocampus are known to mediate of novelty-induced contextual memories, required pathways mechanisms remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that a powerful excitatory pathway from mossy (MCs) GCs necessary sufficient for driving GC activation novel environment exploration. In vivo Ca2+ imaging freely moving mice indicated this relays environmental novelty....

Abstract Statistics of natural scenes are not uniform—their structure varies dramatically from ground to sky. It remains unknown whether these nonuniformities reflected in the large-scale organization early visual system and what benefits such adaptations would confer. Here, by relying on efficient coding hypothesis, we predict that changes receptive fields across space increase efficiency sensory coding. Using mouse ( Mus musculus ) as a model species, show retinal ganglion cells change...

In the fly Drosophila melanogaster , photoreceptor input to motion vision is split into two parallel pathways as represented by first-order interneurons L1 and L2 (Rister et al., 2007; Joesch 2010). However, how these are functionally specialized remains controversial. One study (Eichner 2011) proposed that L1-pathway evaluates only sequences of brightness increments (ON-ON), while L2-pathway processes exclusively decrements (OFF-OFF). Another (Clark each both ON-ON OFF-OFF sequences. To...

To understand the function of neuronal circuits, it is crucial to disentangle connectivity patterns within network. However, most tools currently used explore have low throughput, selectivity, or limited accessibility. Here, we report development an improved packaging system for production highly neurotropic RVdG

Abstract In flies, the large tangential cells of lobula plate represent an important processing center for visual navigation based on optic flow. Although response properties these have been well studied in blowflies, information their synaptic organization is mostly lacking. Here we study distribution presynaptic release and postsynaptic inhibitory sites same set Drosophila melanogaster . By making use transgenic tools immunohistochemistry, our results suggest that HS VS express...

Abstract Lesion verification and quantification is traditionally done via histological examination of sectioned brains, a time-consuming process that relies heavily on manual estimation. Such methods are particularly problematic in posterior cortical regions ( e . g visual cortex), where sectioning leads to significant damage distortion tissue. Even more challenging the post hoc localization micro-electrodes, which same techniques, suffers from similar drawbacks requires even higher...

: The nervous system of seeing animals derives information about optic flow in two subsequent steps. First, local motion vectors are calculated from moving retinal images, and second, the spatial distribution these is analyzed on dendrites large downstream neurons. In dipteran flies, this second step relies a set motion-sensitive lobula plate tangential cells (LPTCs), which have been studied great detail fly species. Yet, studies neurons that convey to LPTCs neuroanatomical investigations...

Abstract Imaging is a dominant strategy for data collection in neuroscience, yielding stacks of images that often scale to gigabytes single experiment. Machine learning algorithms from computer vision can serve as pair virtual eyes tirelessly processes these images, automatically detecting and identifying microstructures. Unlike methods, our Flexible Learning-free Reconstruction Imaged Neural volumes (FLoRIN) pipeline exploits structure-specific contextual clues requires no training. This...

Despite the diverse genetic origins of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), affected individuals share strikingly similar and correlated behavioural traits that include perceptual sensory processing challenges. Notably, severity these symptoms is often predictive expression other autistic traits. However, origin deficits remains largely elusive. Here, we show a recurrent impairment in visual threat perception similarly impaired 3 independent mouse models ASD with different molecular...

Abstract Statistics of natural scenes are not uniform - their structure varies dramatically from ground to sky. It remains unknown whether these non-uniformities reflected in the large-scale organization early visual system and what benefits such adaptations would confer. Here, by relying on efficient coding hypothesis, we predict that changes receptive fields across space increase efficiency sensory coding. We show experimentally that, agreement with our predictions, retinal ganglion cells...

Lesion and electrode location verification are traditionally done via histological examination of stained brain slices, a time-consuming procedure that requires manual estimation. Here, we describe simple, straightforward method for quantifying lesions locating electrodes in the is less laborious yields more detailed results. Whole brains with osmium tetroxide, embedded resin, imaged micro-CT scanner. The scans result 3D digital volumes resolutions virtual section thicknesses dependent on...

Abstract To understand the function of neuronal circuits it is crucial to disentangle connectivity patterns within network. However, most tools currently used explore have low-throughput, low-selectivity, or limited accessibility. Here, we report development an improved packaging system for production highly neurotrophic RVdG envA -CVS-N2c rabies viral vectors, yielding titers orders magnitude higher with no background contamination, at a fraction time, while preserving efficiency...

Abstract Animals rely on compensatory actions to maintain stability and navigate their environment efficiently. These depend global visual motion cues known as optic-flow. While the optomotor response has been traditional focus for studying optic-flow compensation in insects, its simplicity insufficient determine role of intricate processing network involved course control. Here, we reveal a series control behaviours Drosophila link them specific neural circuits. We show that bilateral...

Summary Novelty facilitates formation of memories. The detection novelty and storage contextual memories are both mediated by the hippocampus, yet mechanisms that link these two functions remain to be defined. Dentate granule cells (GCs) dorsal hippocampus fire upon exposure forming engrams memory. However, their key excitatory inputs from entorhinal cortex not responsive insufficient make GCs reliably. Here we uncover a powerful glutamatergic pathway ventral hippocampal mossy (MCs) relays...