Investigation of mechanisms underlying visual processing and behavior

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K20147
• Research Category: Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Home-Returning Researcher Development Research)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: National Institute of Genetics
• Principal Investigator: KUBO Fumi 国立遺伝学研究所, 新分野創造センター, 准教授 (40786373)
• Research Collaborator: KITAGAWA Mako ; FIALLOS OLIVEROS Carolina
• Project Period (FY): 2018 – 2020
• Keywords: 視覚情報 / 神経回路 / オプティックフロー / ゼブラフィッシュ / Ca^<2+>イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The pretectum is composed of several types of neurons that respond differentially to optic flow visual stimuli. Neural network generated by these pretectal neurons forms the basis for distinguishing different optic flow patterns. We have succeeded in genetically labeling pretectal neurons that respond to optic flow and found that a specific type of optic flow-responsive neurons may contribute to the computation of optic flow. Furthermore, morphological reconstructions of optic flow-responsive neurons revealed an anatomical basis for computing binocular responses from monocular responses.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、オプティックフロー情報処理の神経ネットワークに関する機能的および解剖学的メカニズムの一端が明らかとなった。本研究成果は、感覚-運動変換の神経メカニズムに関する基本原理の解明に貢献すると言える。また、ほ乳類大脳皮質などの高次脳機能に広く共通する神経メカニズムの理解に役立つ可能性がある。

Free Research Field

神経科学