Optogenetic interrogation of the lateral-line sensory system reveals mechanisms of pattern separation in the zebrafish brain.

ABSTRACT: The ability of animals to interact with their environment hinges on the brain's capacity to distinguish between patterns of sensory information and accurately attribute them to specific sensory organs. The mechanisms by which neuronal circuits discriminate and encode the source of sensory signals remain elusive. To address this, we utilized as a model the posterior lateral line system of larval zebrafish, which is used to detect water currents. This system comprises a series of mechanosensory organs called neuromasts, which are innervated by neurons from the posterior lateral line ganglion. By combining single-neuromast optogenetic stimulation with whole-brain calcium imaging, we developed a novel approach to investigate how inputs from neuromasts are processed. Upon stimulating individual

SUBMITTER: Velez-Angel N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11839093 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature