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Temporal processing and context dependency in Caenorhabditis elegans response to mechanosensation

Authors :
Mochi Liu
Anuj K Sharma
Joshua W Shaevitz
Andrew M Leifer
Source :
eLife, Vol 7 (2018)
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd, 2018.

Abstract

A quantitative understanding of how sensory signals are transformed into motor outputs places useful constraints on brain function and helps to reveal the brain’s underlying computations. We investigate how the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans responds to time-varying mechanosensory signals using a high-throughput optogenetic assay and automated behavior quantification. We find that the behavioral response is tuned to temporal properties of mechanosensory signals, such as their integral and derivative, that extend over many seconds. Mechanosensory signals, even in the same neurons, can be tailored to elicit different behavioral responses. Moreover, we find that the animal’s response also depends on its behavioral context. Most dramatically, the animal ignores all tested mechanosensory stimuli during turns. Finally, we present a linear-nonlinear model that predicts the animal’s behavioral response to stimulus.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2050084X
Volume :
7
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
eLife
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.3a146832b61144fbab8c89f134c629bb
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.36419