Neural circuits mediating visual stabilization during active motion in zebrafish

Abstract

Visual stabilization is an inevitable requirement for animals during active motion interaction with the environment. Visual motion cues of the surroundings or induced by self-generated behaviors are perceived then trigger proper motor responses mediated by neural representations conceptualized as the internal model: one part of it predicts the consequences of sensory dynamics as a forward model, another part generates proper motor control as a reverse model. However, the neural circuits between the two models remain mostly unknown. Here, we demonstrate that an internal component, the efference copy, coordinated the two models in a push-pull manner by generating extra reset saccades during active motion processing in larval zebrafish. Calcium imaging indicated that the saccade preparation circuit is enhanced while the velocity integration circuit is inhibited during the interaction, balancing the internal representations from both directions. This is the first model of efference copy on visual stabilization beyond the sensorimotor stage.

A brainstem integrator for self-localization and positional homeostasis

“…In addition to SLO-MO, the hindbrain contains multiple circuits capable of persistent activity, such as the oculomotor integrator [75][76][77] . These circuits may share similar network architectures for integration 78,79 , and may be adjacent or partially overlap 61,[80][81][82][83] .…”

Fin–fin interactions during locomotion in a simplified biomimetic fish model

“…Retinal stability reduces the use of saccades, a quick eye movement that reorients the visual field during which time there is little processing of visual information [71]. In fish, minimizing the unsteady portions of the swimming cycle and using saccades to reset the visual field only during high acceleration phases may improve perception of the surrounding environment [72,73]. We suggest that fish may be able to limit the need for saccades and the accompanying visual impairment by decreasing thrust oscillations with fin-fin interactions thereby creating a steadier visual field.…”