A flexible geometry for panoramic visual and optogenetic stimulation during behavior and physiology

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Visual Processing
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Precise control of visual stimuli is crucial for studying visual processing and neural responses.
• Presenting stimuli across a wide visual field is technically challenging with existing methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, simple geometry for displaying panoramic visual stimuli.
• To enable simultaneous behavioral and neurophysiological measurements with identical stimuli.
• To integrate optogenetic stimulation with visual paradigms.

Main Methods:

• A single digital light projector and mirrors are used to display images onto surrounding flat screens.
• The system was tested using Drosophila, presenting drifting gratings for behavioral and neural recordings.
• Optogenetic tools were activated using the same projector light during visual stimulation.
• Two-photon microscopy was employed to record neural responses in direction-selective cells.

Main Results:

• The system successfully presented panoramic visual stimuli to Drosophila.
• Behavioral responses (walking and turning speed) were recorded during stimulation.
• Optogenetic activation was achieved concurrently with visual stimulation.
• Neural responses to visual stimuli were successfully recorded using two-photon microscopy.

Conclusions:

• This flexible geometry facilitates behavioral and neural measurements of panoramic visual stimuli.
• It enables moderate-throughput behavioral experiments with simultaneous optogenetic manipulation.
• The setup allows for direct comparison between behavior and neural activity using consistent stimuli.