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

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2-2017

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.

Identifier

85018951555 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Cell Reports

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2017.04.015

e-ISSN

22111247

PubMed ID

28467907

First Page

939

Last Page

948

Issue

5

Volume

19

Grant

243106

Fund Ref

European Commission

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