Feedback from network states generates variability in a probabilistic olfactory circuit

Andrew Gordus, Navin Pokala, Sagi Levy, Steven W. Flavell, Cornelia I. Bargmann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Summary Variability is a prominent feature of behavior and is an active element of certain behavioral strategies. To understand how neuronal circuits control variability, we examined the propagation of sensory information in a chemotaxis circuit of C. Elegans where discrete sensory inputs can drive a probabilistic behavioral response. Olfactory neurons respond to odor stimuli with rapid and reliable changes in activity, but downstream AIB interneurons respond with a probabilistic delay. The interneuron response to odor depends on the collective activity of multiple neurons - AIB, RIM, and AVA - when the odor stimulus arrives. Certain activity states of the network correlate with reliable responses to odor stimuli. Artificially generating these activity states by modifying neuronal activity increases the reliability of odor responses in interneurons and the reliability of the behavioral response to odor. The integration of sensory information with network states may represent a general mechanism for generating variability in behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)215-227
Number of pages13
JournalCell
Volume161
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 9 Apr 2015
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Feedback from network states generates variability in a probabilistic olfactory circuit'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this