Specific visual features guide approach behavior in laboratory mice

Single page posterThe mouse is an important model of vision as it allows us to discover the neural mechanisms underlying visual behavior in a way that is not possible in other models. Previous work has shown that laboratory mice use vision to capture live insect prey. This finding revealed that mice can provide us with an understanding of how specific visual information can naturally signal rewards and drive approach behavior. However, to accomplish this goal we must first identify the specific visual features that drive prey capture behavior. Here, we systematically determined the parameters of visual stimuli which best evoke orienting and approach behaviors in mice. We presented prey-like virtual stimuli on a computer monitor that mice could approach at will, and, we precisely manipulated the size and contrast of those stimuli. It was found that mice responded to stimuli that most resembled a live cricket, a 2cm long, full contrast ellipse. These results demonstrate that mice are tuned to objects of specific sizes and contrasts that are consistent with live insect prey. We now know that the neurons that encode this information, as well as other relevant features, will be necessary to produce this interesting approach behavior. In turn, this knowledge will allow us to pinpoint the neural circuits in the brain that translate such information in order to produce appropriate orienting and approach behavior towards rewarding stimuli. Furthermore, understanding this information has implications for our ability to address diseases of orienting and approach behavior such as anxiety, ADHD and addiction.National Institutes of Health Grants 1RO1EY023337 and 1DP2EY023190 (C.M.N.) and 1F32EY024179 (J.L.H.)