Excitation and inhibition in recurrent networks mediate collision avoidance in Xenopus tadpoles.

Arseny S Khakhalin, David Koren, Jenny Gu, Heng Xu, Carlos D Aizenman

September 2014 Eur J Neurosci

Synopsis of Social media discussions

The discussions highlight interest in how tadpoles avoid collisions, with posts sharing videos and noting their quick responses. The tone is curious and observational, with some comments emphasizing the relevance of neural inhibition in sensory processing, suggesting a moderate appreciation for the study's significance.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of the findings, with some expressing confidence in the conclusions, while a few remain cautious or neutral.

I
Interest
 Moderate level of interest

The posts show a moderate level of curiosity, sharing personal observations and reactions to the tadpoles' behaviors, indicating some engagement but not deep enthusiasm.

E
Engagement
 Moderate level of engagement

Comments include personal videos and questions about collision detection mechanisms, reflecting a basic level of interest and some active participation.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

There is a general sense that this research could influence understanding of neural circuits in sensory systems, though few explicitly state the broader implications.

Social Mentions

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1 Posts

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185

Total Likes

2

Extended Reach

1,595

Social Features

2

Timeline: Posts about article

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Posts referencing the article

Neural Mechanisms of Collision Avoidance in Xenopus Tadpoles

Neural Mechanisms of Collision Avoidance in Xenopus Tadpoles

This video explores how the visual system of Xenopus tadpoles detects looming objects to prevent collisions, focusing on the critical roles of excitation and inhibition within tectal recurrent networks.

Arseny Khakhalin

July 7, 2014

185 views

  • Arseny Khakhalin
    @ampanmdagaba (Twitter)

    Background: Xenopus tadpoles are good at avoiding collisions (here’s my video of the process). If collisions are slow enough, they just correct their course a bit, not even breaking a sweat. For faster collisions, they respond later, and with a startle. https://t.co/nBWhTYaN4N
    view full post

    March 27, 2019

    1

Abstract Synopsis

  • The study investigates how the visual system of Xenopus tadpoles detects looming objects to avoid collisions, primarily focusing on the role of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity within the tectum.
  • Researchers found that collision detection relies on distributed recurrent networks in the tectum, where inhibition mainly regulates the integration of retinal and tectal inputs rather than directly shaping stimulus selectivity.
  • Manipulating synaptic inhibition either pharmacologically or through other means disrupted the tadpole's ability to selectively recognize looming stimuli, highlighting the critical role of inhibition in maintaining stimulus sensitivity within neural networks.