Noise-robust recognition of wide-field motion direction and the underlying neural mechanisms in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: Appropriate and robust behavioral control in a noisy environment is important for the survival of most organisms. Understanding such robust behavioral control has been an attractive subject in neuroscience research. Here, we investigated the processing of wide-field motion with random dot noise at both the behavioral and neuronal level in Drosophila melanogaster. We measured the head yaw optomotor response (OMR) and the activity of motion-sensitive neurons, horizontal system (HS) cells, with in vivo whole-cell patch clamp recordings at various levels of noise intensity. We found that flies had a robust sensation of motion direction under noisy conditions, while membrane potential changes of HS cells were not correlated with behavioral responses. By applying signal classification theory to

SUBMITTER: Suzuki Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4431354 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature