Loom-sensitive neurons link computation to action in the Drosophila visual system.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many animals extract specific cues from rich visual scenes to guide appropriate behaviors. Such cues include visual motion signals produced both by self-movement and by moving objects in the environment. The complexity of these signals requires neural circuits to link particular patterns of motion to specific behavioral responses.

Results

Through electrophysiological recordings, we characterize genetically identified neurons in the optic lobe of Drosophila that are specifically tuned to detect motion signals produced by looming objects on a collision course with the fly. Using a genetic manipulation to specifically silence these neurons, we demonstrate that signals from these cells are important for flies to efficiently initiate the loom escape response. Moreover,

SUBMITTER: de Vries SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3298569 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature