The Impact of Prior Experience With Cross-Modal Stimulation on Activation of Bipolar and Multipolar Neurons in the Intermediate Layer of Rat Superior Colliculus

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
David Andrew Crane (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
Mark Zrull

Abstract: Multisensory integration (MI) is the process in which information from multiple sensory modalities converges on single neurons. When a rat orients toward a cross-modal, light and sound, stimulus, neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) integrate the information. Most cells conducting MI are multipolar, and the rat intermediate SC (intSC), which contains bi- and multipolar neurons, plays a crucial role in MI. This study examined bi- and multipolar neuron activation in the intSC evoked by cross-modal or modality specific sensory stimulation as well as the role of prior cross-modal experience on the density of neurons activated by cross-modal stimulation within the region. More activated neurons were found in the intSC of cross-modal stimulated brains than in modality specific stimulated brains, and tissue from rats with cross-modal stimulation experience prior to stimulation to evoke activity had more activated neurons than rats that did not have prior experience with cross-modal stimulation. The results suggest that neurons of the rat intSC processes information from cross-modal stimuli, and prior experience with sensory input from multiple modalities may influence the neuronal response in the rat intSC when presented with cross-modal stimulation.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Crane, D.A. (2013). The Impact of Prior Experience With Cross-Modal Stimulation on Activation of Bipolar and Multipolar Neurons in the Intermediate Layer of Rat Superior Colliculus. Unpublished master’s thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2013
Keywords
Multisensory integration, Superior colliculus, Sensory processing, Evoked activity

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