The evaluation of visual temporal resolution in the behaving mouse

Jumpei Mita1,2, Satoshi Yokota2,3, Syohei Ikuta1,2, Shingo Takizawa1,2, Takuma Arimura2, Yuichiro Nomura2, Daichi Uchida2, Akira Amano4, Kazuhiro Shimonomura5, Chieko Koike1,2,6
1:Grad. Sch Life Sci, Ritsumeikan Univ., Shiga, Japan
2:Lab Sys Neurosci Del Biol, Col Pharm Sci, Ritsumeikan Univ., Shiga, Japan
3:Research Organization of Sci and Technology, Ritsumeikan Univ., Shiga, Japan
4:Dept Bioinfo, Col of Life Sci, Ritsumeikan Univ., Shiga, Japan
5:Dept of Robotics, Col Sci and Eng, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
6:PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Industry to support private universities building up their foundations of strategic research

A fundamental principle of vertebrate visual system relies on the functional separation of neuronal signaling into the ON and OFF pathways that generate visual contrast. These two pathways originate in depolarizing ON bipolar cells and hyperpolarizing OFF bipolar cells.
Critical fusion frequency (CFF) is one of the useful ways to evaluate visual resolution based on functional separation of ON and OFF pathways. The flicker electroretinogram and visual evoked potential has been studied, however, the CFF threshold in the behaving mouse has not been studied.
C57BL/6 mice responded to two stimuli by making nose poke toward a green (508nm) light emitting diode (LED) screen that was equipped with a touchscreen attachment for detecting responses. Mice were trained to distinguish stationary illumination (correct response) from flickering illumination (incorrect response). We continued to the task until mice could discriminate between correct and incorrect choice. Once mice recognized correct stimuli, we changed temporal frequency until mice could not discriminate flickering stimulation as stationary stimulation, which defined as CFF.
We established the method to evaluate temporal properties of mice of ON and OFF pathway-mediated vision. This behavioral assay of mouse model could contribute to development of diagnosis of human retinal disease.