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A binocular perception deficit characterizes prey pursuit in developing mice.
Kelsey Allen1, Rocio Gonzalez-Olvera1, Milen Kumar1
1Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
Iscience
|November 7, 2022
Summary
Developing mice (P21) show binocular visual field deficits, unlike adults. This links impaired binocular perception in juveniles to altered activity in the superior colliculus (SC) during visual tasks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Vision Science
Background:
- Cellular mechanisms of binocular integration in mammalian vision are well-studied in mice.
- The developmental timeline of visually guided behaviors relying on binocular input remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ontogeny of binocular visual processing and behavior in mice.
- To correlate developmental visual deficits with neural activity patterns.
Main Methods:
- Quantified visually guided behaviors in postnatal day 21 (P21) mice and adult mice.
- Utilized a live prey capture assay and a computerized-spontaneous perception of objects task (C-SPOT).
- Measured neural activity via c-Fos expression in the anterior superior colliculus (SC).
Main Results:
- P21 mice exhibited a specific deficit in binocular visual field processing compared to adults.
- Juvenile mice showed increased c-Fos expression in the anterior SC after the C-SPOT task.
- This neural activity change correlated with the observed binocular perception deficit.
Conclusions:
- A specific binocular perception deficit exists in developing mice.
- This deficit is linked to altered neural activity in the superior colliculus during a critical developmental period.
- Provides insight into the developmental trajectory of binocular vision in mammals.
