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Mice Reach Higher Visual Sensitivity at Night by Using a More Efficient Behavioral Strategy.

Sanna Koskela1, Tuomas Turunen2, Petri Ala-Laurila2

  • 1Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.

Current Biology : CB
|December 24, 2019
PubMed
Summary

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Mouse vision sensitivity is controlled by the daily cycle, with peak performance at night. This diurnal rhythm impacts visual search strategies, not retinal processing itself.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Chronobiology
  • Vision Science

Background:

  • Circadian clocks regulate physiological adjustments to daily light-dark cycles.
  • The retina possesses an intrinsic circadian clock, influencing its physiology.
  • The functional impact of retinal diurnal rhythms on visual perception and behavior remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of the diurnal rhythm on the sensitivity limits of mouse vision.
  • To determine whether observed behavioral changes are due to retinal processing or higher-level strategies.

Main Methods:

  • A photon detection task was employed to link retinal output signals to visually guided behavior.
  • Electrophysiological recordings were performed on key retinal ganglion cell types (ON sustained, OFF sustained, OFF transient alpha).
Keywords:
animal trackingarousalbehaviorbrain statecircadian rhythmganglion cellmouseneural circuitretinavision

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  • Behavioral strategies were analyzed in relation to the animal's diurnal state and task history.

    • Main Results:

    • Visually guided behavior at its sensitivity limit exhibits strong diurnal control, peaking in sensitivity and stability at night.
    • Diurnal variations in visual sensitivity were not localized to the retina.
    • Mice demonstrated a more efficient nocturnal visual search strategy, which could be adopted during their subjective day after prior nocturnal experience.

    Conclusions:

    • The day/night cycle significantly impacts high-level sensory processing and behavioral strategies in vision.
    • Behavioral diurnal differences are mediated by adaptive search strategies rather than retinal sensitivity changes.
    • Visual psychometric functions are robustly influenced by an animal's diurnal state, search strategy, and task experience.