PUBLICATION

The Emergence of the Spatial Structure of Tectal Spontaneous Activity Is Independent of Visual Inputs

Authors
Pietri, T., Romano, S.A., Pérez-Schuster, V., Boulanger-Weill, J., Candat, V., Sumbre, G.
ID
ZDB-PUB-170504-1
Date
2017
Source
Cell Reports   19: 939-948 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Pietri, Thomas, Romano, Sebastian, Sumbre, Germán
Keywords
behavior, development of spontaneous activity, neuronal circuit dynamics, optic tectum, retinal input, visual system, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Retina/growth & development
  • Retina/metabolism
  • Retina/physiology*
  • Superior Colliculi/growth & development
  • Superior Colliculi/physiology*
  • Visual Pathways/growth & development
  • Visual Pathways/physiology
  • Visual Perception*
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
28467907 Full text @ Cell Rep.
Abstract
The brain is spontaneously active, even in the absence of sensory stimulation. The functionally mature zebrafish optic tectum shows spontaneous activity patterns reflecting a functional connectivity adapted for the circuit's functional role and predictive of behavior. However, neither the emergence of these patterns during development nor the role of retinal inputs in their maturation has been characterized. Using two-photon calcium imaging, we analyzed spontaneous activity in intact and enucleated zebrafish larvae throughout tectum development. At the onset of retinotectal connections, intact larvae showed major changes in the spatiotemporal structure of spontaneous activity. Although the absence of retinal inputs had a significant impact on the development of the temporal structure, the tectum was still capable of developing a spatial structure associated with the circuit's functional roles and predictive of behavior. We conclude that neither visual experience nor intrinsic retinal activity is essential for the emergence of a spatially structured functional circuit.
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