Visual Temporal Contrast Sensitivity in the Behaving Mouse Shares Fundamental Properties with Human Psychophysics

ENeuro
Yumiko UminoEduardo Solessio

Abstract

The mammalian visual system has a remarkable capacity to detect differences in contrast across time, which is known as temporal contrast sensitivity (TCS). Details of the underlying neural mechanisms are rapidly emerging as a result of a series of elegant electrophysiological studies performed largely with the mouse as an experimental model. However, rigorous psychophysical methods are necessary to pair the electrophysiology with temporal visual behavior in mouse. The optomotor response is frequently used as a proxy for retinal temporal processing in rodents. However, subcortical reflexive pathways drive the optomotor response rather than cortical decision-making areas. To address this problem, we have developed an operant behavior assay that measures TCS in behaving mice. Mice were trained to perform a forced-choice visual task and were tested daily on their ability to distinguish flickering from nonflickering overhead lights. Correct responses (Hit and Correct Rejections) were rewarded. Contrast, temporal frequency, and mean illumination of the flicker were the independent variables. We validated and applied the theory of signal detection to estimate the discriminability factor (d´), a measure of performance that is independe...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 29, 2020·Frontiers in Neuroscience·Daniela CamilloJ Alexander Heimel

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

PALMEDES
ABET
PALAMEDES
SigmaStat

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Barrel cortex

Here is the latest research on barrel cortex, a region of somatosensory and motor corticies in the brain, which are used by animals that rely on whiskers for world exploration.

Related Papers

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
Laura BusseMatteo Carandini
Journal of the Optical Society of America
R H PECKHAM, W J ARNER
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved