title: Circuit dynamics of the superior colliculus revealed by in vitro voltage imaging.
abstract: The superior colliculus (SC) is well known for its involvement in the conversion of sensory stimuli into motor commands. This sensorimotor integration is made possible by the collective activity of multiple neuronal connections throughout the SC. Still, the majority of SC research focuses on in vivo extracellular recordings of behaving monkeys or in vitro patch-clamp recordings from lower mammals. Here, we discuss the results of an in vitro voltage-imaging technique in which population activity across the rodent SC circuitry was visualized to bridge the gap between single-cell recordings and whole-animal behavior. The high temporal and spatial resolution of the voltage-imaging technique allowed us to visualize patterns of activity following stimulation at discrete laminae. Stimulation within either the superficial or intermediate layer showed recruitment of disparate SC circuitry. These results provide insight into the circuit dynamics and neuronal populations that underlie behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Corinne R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Vokoun
authors.forename: Meyer B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Michele A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Basso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012438:Saccades / Q000502:physiology; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000502:physiology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology