Neuronal activity can be triggered by either external stimuli or by stimuli that are a result of your own actions. In his second talk, Engert explains how his lab measured and compared neuronal activity in response to these two types of stimuli. Using a set up where larval zebra fish are immobilized with drugs, yet the neurons which innervate the muscles fire normally, they measured neuronal activity in response to visual stimuli. By moving a virtual landscape quickly or slowly they could mimic fast or slow swimming by the fish. Interestingly, they found that the fish would adjust its neuronal activity up or down so its perceived swim speed matched the movement of the virtual landscape or, in other words, so the external stimuli matched the expected result of its actions. Engert’s group mapped the neurons responsible for visual processing and locomotion, as well as those responsible for gain control up or down to match the fish’s swimming strength with the external stimuli.
View the full talk with additional resources on our website
Fish in the Matrix: Neuronal Activity and Animal Behavior in Virtual Environments
Florian Engert and his lab can measure neuronal activity in the whole brains of live, awake zebrafish larvae allowing them to link neuronal activity with behavior and learning. (Talk recorded in July 2017)
- Part 1: Fish in the Matrix: Neuronal Activity and Animal Behavior in Virtual EnvironmentsAudience:
- Student
- Researcher
- Educators of H. School / Intro Undergrad
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 27:00 - Part 2: Gain Control: Neuronal Activity and Animal Behavior in Virtual EnvironmentsAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 32:12 - Part 3: Neural Circuits Governing Operant ConditioningAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 33:45