Program#/Poster#: 197.16/WW11 Presentation Title: Cholinergic enhancement of visual representation in the owl optic tectum Location: Hall A-C Presentation time: Sunday, Nov 13, 2011, 11:00 AM -12:00 PM Authors: *A. ASADOLLAHI, E. I. KNUDESN; Neurobio., Stanford Univ., STANFORD, CA Abstract: The optic tectum (OT; superior culliculus in mammals), is involved in the control of gaze direction, stimulus selection and attention. The OT projects to, and receives extensive topographic feedback from, a cholinergic nucleus in the midbrain tegmentum, the nucleus isthmi pars parvocellularis (Ipc). The functional properties of Ipc neurons resemble those of a “salience map”, a core component in computational models for spatial attention and gaze control. Although, it is known that this information propagates directly to the OT as periodic (25-50 Hz) bursts of cholinergic activity, how it modulates OT activity is not well understood. Using reversible inactivation of Ipc neurons, we found that Ipc activity modulates the spatial tuning, sensitivity and responsiveness of OT neurons in a space specific way. These effects resemble those of attentional modulation of visual responses in the midbrain and cortex. Disclosures: A. Asadollahi: None. E.I. Knudesn: None. Keyword(s): ACETYLCHOLINE ATTENTION SUPERIOR COLLICULUS Support: EY019179 [Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2011 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2011. Online. 2011 Copyright by the Society for Neuroscience all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.

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