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Normal and adapted visuooculomotor reflexes in goldfish
1Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Goldfish optokinetic response (OKR) adapts to visual training, altering vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain. This study characterizes isolated OKR behavior, revealing period tuning and rhythmic oscillations, crucial for understanding visual-vestibular interactions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Comparative Physiology
Background:
- Whole-field visual motion typically results from self-motion.
- The optokinetic response (OKR) supports the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) during visual surround motion.
- OKR can function independently at frequencies/amplitudes below vestibular activation thresholds.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize the isolated behavior of the optokinetic response (OKR) in goldfish.
- Establish a foundation for studying central neuronal correlates of visual-vestibular interactions.
- Investigate mechanisms underlying oculomotor adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Presentation of binocular sinusoidal or step visual stimuli to goldfish.
- Measurement of conjugate eye movements (amplitude and phase).
- Analysis of early and delayed OKR components and their independent alteration via visual training.
Main Results:
- OKR gain increased by over 100% after visual training.
- Eye velocity exhibited anticipatory decrease before stimulus direction changes ('period tuning').
- OKR adaptation significantly altered VOR gain, unlike VOR training's effect on OKR gain.
Conclusions:
- Goldfish OKR is well-suited to complement VOR, with adaptive modifications impacting VOR gain.
- Visuomotor plasticity in goldfish OKR demonstrates unique characteristics, including period tuning.
- Findings suggest distributed and discrete neuronal circuits control visuo- and vestibulomotor performance.