Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
12-27-2016
Journal
PLoS Computational Biology
Volume
12
Issue
12
Inclusive Pages
e1005315
DOI
10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005315
Abstract
The establishment of precise neuronal connectivity during development is critical for sensing the external environment and informing appropriate behavioral responses. In the visual system, many connections are organized topographically, which preserves the spatial order of the visual scene. The superior colliculus (SC) is a midbrain nucleus that integrates visual inputs from the retina and primary visual cortex (V1) to regulate goal-directed eye movements. In the SC, topographically organized inputs from the retina and V1 must be aligned to facilitate integration. Previously, we showed that retinal input instructs the alignment of V1 inputs in the SC in a manner dependent on spontaneous neuronal activity; however, the mechanism of activity-dependent instruction remains unclear. To begin to address this gap, we developed two novel computational models of visual map alignment in the SC that incorporate distinct activity-dependent components. First, a Correlational Model assumes that V1 inputs achieve alignment with established retinal inputs through simple correlative firing mechanisms. A second Integrational Model assumes that V1 inputs contribute to the firing of SC neurons during alignment. Both models accurately replicate in vivo findings in wild type, transgenic and combination mutant mouse models, suggesting either activity-dependent mechanism is plausible. In silico experiments reveal distinct behaviors in response to weakening retinal drive, providing insight into the nature of the system governing map alignment depending on the activity-dependent strategy utilized. Overall, we describe novel computational frameworks of visual map alignment that accurately model many aspects of the in vivo process and propose experiments to test them.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
APA Citation
Tikidji-Hamburyan, R., El-Ghazawi, T., & Triplett, J. W. (2016). Novel Models of Visual Topographic Map Alignment in the Superior Colliculus.. PLoS Computational Biology, 12 (12). http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005315
Open Access
1
Comments
Reproduced with permission of PLoS Computational Biology
This is an UNCORRECTED PROOF. The final edited version from the publisher will be available shortly.