Program#/Poster#: 72.5/LL12 Title: Cholinergic modulation of information coding in the barn owl optic tectum Location: Halls B-H Presentation Time: Saturday, Nov 13, 2010, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Authors: *A. ASADOLLAHI, E. I. KNUDSEN; 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 contains a multimodal map of space. OT neurons project to, and receive extensive topographic feedback from, a cholinergic nucleus in the midbrain, 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, magnitude and reliability of responses of OT neurons to sensory stimuli. These effects resemble those of attentional modulation of visual responses in the visual cortex. Disclosures: A. Asadollahi: None. E.I. Knudsen: None. Keyword(s): ACETYLCHOLINE ATTENTION EYE MOVEMENT Support: R01 EY019179 [Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2010 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2010. Online. 2010 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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