@article{9955,
  abstract     = {Neurons can change their classical neurotransmitters during ontogeny, sometimes going through stages of dual release. Here, we explored the development of the neurotransmitter identity of neurons of the avian nucleus isthmi parvocellularis (Ipc), whose axon terminals are retinotopically arranged in the optic tectum (TeO) and exert a focal gating effect upon the ascending transmission of retinal inputs. Although cholinergic and glutamatergic markers are both found in Ipc neurons and terminals of adult pigeons and chicks, the mRNA expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter, VAChT, is weak or absent. To explore how the Ipc neurotransmitter identity is established during ontogeny, we analyzed the expression of mRNAs coding for cholinergic (ChAT, VAChT, and CHT) and glutamatergic (VGluT2 and VGluT3) markers in chick embryos at different developmental stages. We found that between E12 and E18, Ipc neurons expressed all cholinergic mRNAs and also VGluT2 mRNA; however, from E16 through posthatch stages, VAChT mRNA expression was specifically diminished. Our ex vivo deposits of tracer crystals and intracellular filling experiments revealed that Ipc axons exhibit a mature paintbrush morphology late in development, experiencing marked morphological transformations during the period of presumptive dual vesicular transmitter release. Additionally, although ChAT protein immunoassays increasingly label the growing Ipc axon, this labeling was consistently restricted to sparse portions of the terminal branches. Combined, these results suggest that the synthesis of glutamate and acetylcholine, and their vesicular release, is complexly linked to the developmental processes of branching, growing and remodeling of these unique axons.},
  author       = {Reyes‐Pinto, Rosana and Ferrán, José L. and Vega Zuniga, Tomas A and González‐Cabrera, Cristian and Luksch, Harald and Mpodozis, Jorge and Puelles, Luis and Marín, Gonzalo J.},
  issn         = {1096-9861},
  journal      = {Journal of Comparative Neurology},
  number       = {2},
  pages        = {553--573},
  publisher    = {Wiley},
  title        = {{Change in the neurochemical signature and morphological development of the parvocellular isthmic projection to the avian tectum}},
  doi          = {10.1002/cne.25229},
  volume       = {530},
  year         = {2022},
}

@article{8643,
  abstract     = {The parabigeminal nucleus (PBG) is the mammalian homologue to the isthmic complex of other vertebrates. Optogenetic stimulation of the PBG induces freezing and escape in mice, a result thought to be caused by a PBG projection to the central nucleus of the amygdala. However, the isthmic complex, including the PBG, has been classically considered satellite nuclei of the Superior Colliculus (SC), which upon stimulation of its medial part also triggers fear and avoidance reactions. As the PBG-SC connectivity is not well characterized, we investigated whether the topology of the PBG projection to the SC could be related to the behavioral consequences of PBG stimulation. To that end, we performed immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and neural tracer injections in the SC and PBG in a diurnal rodent, the Octodon degus. We found that all PBG neurons expressed both glutamatergic and cholinergic markers and were distributed in clearly defined anterior (aPBG) and posterior (pPBG) subdivisions. The pPBG is connected reciprocally and topographically to the ipsilateral SC, whereas the aPBG receives afferent axons from the ipsilateral SC and projected exclusively to the contralateral SC. This contralateral projection forms a dense field of terminals that is restricted to the medial SC, in correspondence with the SC representation of the aerial binocular field which, we also found, in O. degus prompted escape reactions upon looming stimulation. Therefore, this specialized topography allows binocular interactions in the SC region controlling responses to aerial predators, suggesting a link between the mechanisms by which the SC and PBG produce defensive behaviors.},
  author       = {Deichler, Alfonso and Carrasco, Denisse and Lopez-Jury, Luciana and Vega Zuniga, Tomas A and Marquez, Natalia and Mpodozis, Jorge and Marin, Gonzalo},
  issn         = {20452322},
  journal      = {Scientific Reports},
  publisher    = {Springer Nature},
  title        = {{A specialized reciprocal connectivity suggests a link between the mechanisms by which the superior colliculus and parabigeminal nucleus produce defensive behaviors in rodents}},
  doi          = {10.1038/s41598-020-72848-0},
  volume       = {10},
  year         = {2020},
}

@article{7160,
  abstract     = {Nocturnal animals that rely on their visual system for foraging, mating, and navigation usually exhibit specific traits associated with living in scotopic conditions. Most nocturnal birds have several visual specializations, such as enlarged eyes and an increased orbital convergence. However, the actual role of binocular vision in nocturnal foraging is still debated. Nightjars (Aves: Caprimulgidae) are predators that actively pursue and capture flying insects in crepuscular and nocturnal environments, mainly using a conspicuous “sit-and-wait” tactic on which pursuit begins with an insect flying over the bird that sits on the ground. In this study, we describe the visual system of the band-winged nightjar (Systellura longirostris), with emphasis on anatomical features previously described as relevant for nocturnal birds. Orbit convergence, determined by 3D scanning of the skull, was 73.28°. The visual field, determined by ophthalmoscopic reflex, exhibits an area of maximum binocular overlap of 42°, and it is dorsally oriented. The eyes showed a nocturnal-like normalized corneal aperture/axial length index. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were relatively scant, and distributed in an unusual oblique-band pattern, with higher concentrations in the ventrotemporal quadrant. Together, these results indicate that the band-winged nightjar exhibits a retinal specialization associated with the binocular area of their dorsal visual field, a relevant area for pursuit triggering and prey attacks. The RGC distribution observed is unusual among birds, but similar to that of some visually dependent insectivorous bats, suggesting that those features might be convergent in relation to feeding strategies.},
  author       = {Salazar, Juan Esteban and Severin, Daniel and Vega Zuniga, Tomas A and Fernández-Aburto, Pedro and Deichler, Alfonso and Sallaberry A., Michel and Mpodozis, Jorge},
  issn         = {1421-9743},
  journal      = {Brain, Behavior and Evolution},
  number       = {1-4},
  pages        = {27--36},
  publisher    = {Karger Publishers},
  title        = {{Anatomical specializations related to foraging in the visual system of a nocturnal insectivorous bird, the band-winged nightjar (Aves: Caprimulgiformes)}},
  doi          = {10.1159/000504162},
  volume       = {94},
  year         = {2020},
}

@article{6010,
  abstract     = {The optic tectum (TeO), or superior colliculus, is a multisensory midbrain center that organizes spatially orienting responses to relevant stimuli. To define the stimulus with the highest priority at each moment, a network of reciprocal connections between the TeO and the isthmi promotes competition between concurrent tectal inputs. In the avian midbrain, the neurons mediating enhancement and suppression of tectal inputs are located in separate isthmic nuclei, facilitating the analysis of the neural processes that mediate competition. A specific subset of radial neurons in the intermediate tectal layers relay retinal inputs to the isthmi, but at present it is unclear whether separate neurons innervate individual nuclei or a single neural type sends a common input to several of them. In this study, we used in vitro neural tracing and cell-filling experiments in chickens to show that single neurons innervate, via axon collaterals, the three nuclei that comprise the isthmotectal network. This demonstrates that the input signals representing the strength of the incoming stimuli are simultaneously relayed to the mechanisms promoting both enhancement and suppression of the input signals. By performing in vivo recordings in anesthetized chicks, we also show that this common input generates synchrony between both antagonistic mechanisms, demonstrating that activity enhancement and suppression are closely coordinated. From a computational point of view, these results suggest that these tectal neurons constitute integrative nodes that combine inputs from different sources to drive in parallel several concurrent neural processes, each performing complementary functions within the network through different firing patterns and connectivity.},
  author       = {Garrido-Charad, Florencia and Vega Zuniga, Tomas A and Gutiérrez-Ibáñez, Cristián and Fernandez, Pedro and López-Jury, Luciana and González-Cabrera, Cristian and Karten, Harvey J. and Luksch, Harald and Marín, Gonzalo J.},
  issn         = {1091-6490},
  journal      = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
  number       = {32},
  pages        = {E7615--E7623},
  publisher    = {National Academy of Sciences},
  title        = {{“Shepherd’s crook” neurons drive and synchronize the enhancing and suppressive mechanisms of the midbrain stimulus selection network}},
  doi          = {10.1073/pnas.1804517115},
  volume       = {115},
  year         = {2018},
}