In WP1, we developed custom written software in Matlab to control stimulus presentation [WP1.1] over a graphical user interface (GUI). Specifically, it can either present sounds systematically or randomly generate sounds with specific characteristics. It can also generate new sounds based on the feature of several input (“parent”) stimuli, which is required for the genetic optimization algorithm.
Using the OptiStimGUI, I was able to investigate the neuronal responses of the ICd in different areas. In general, the responses of these neurons are more pronounced in the awake animal in comparison to in anesthetized animals, which most previous publications had used. With the chronic calcium imaging technique, the responses of the same neurons before, during and after anesthesia were compared. The result of this work has been presented at the Annual Meeting of Society for Neuroscience and will be prepared for submitting for publication.
The next step was to establish a head-fixed two-alternative choice behavioral paradigm for mice. Similar to WP1, software and hardware have been developed under WP2 to control the behavioral experiments. Figure 3 shows a mouse performing the behavioral experiment in the setup, where it had to response by licking either the left or the right metal “lick port” depending on the sound it heard. Moreover, Optogenetics experiments have been successfully set up at the two photon microscope [WP3.1] where neurons in the inferior colliculus was activated by light, resulting in bursts of action potentials. The study of stimulation effects on animal behavior is being continued.
Exploitation
The development of stimulus optimization and operant conditioning paradigm has been utilized by the host department on related projects such as the study of tinnitus.
Dissemination
Presentation of results in conferences:
• Wong A.B. Geis H.R.-A.P. & Borst J.G.G. Chronic in vivo calcium imaging of the dorsal cortex of inferior colliculus in awake, behaving mice. Gordon Research Conference for Modulation of Neural Circuits and Behavior, Jun 2015, Hong Kong.
• Wong A.B. & Borst J.G.G. Chronic Ca2+ imaging reveals strong suppressive effects of anaesthesia on spontaneous and sound-evoked responses in dorsal inferior colliculus, The Dutch Neuroscience Meeting 2016, Jun 2016, Lunteren, the Netherlands; and the 46th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Nov 2016, San Diego, CA, USA
Public outreach:
The fellow has co-organized an open day event “Neem je brein waar” (
https://brain-awareness-rotterdam.nl(öffnet in neuem Fenster)) on 18th March, 2017 at the Departments of Neuroscience and of Psychiatry in Erasmus MC, in support of the Brain Awareness Week initiative from Dana foundation (
http://www.dana.org/BAW/(öffnet in neuem Fenster)). Over 200 visitors, ranging from children to elderlies, explored the laboratories and were introduced on the scientific research conducted at the departments through art, games, lectures and interactive workshops.
