Connectomics and the neural basis of behaviour

Galili, Dana S.; Jefferis, Gregory; Costa, Marta

doi:10.1016/j.cois.2022.100968

Cited by 30 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…The community effort to comprehensively reconstruct neurons and measure synaptic connections within FANC is ongoing. Although we have only proofread a small fraction of the total FANC dataset, the automated reconstruction, proofreading environment, and analysis tools enable interactive inquiry into the neurobiology of the VNC, just as it has for the adult fly brain (Galili et al, 2022) and larval nervous system (Eschbach and Zlatic, 2020). Even before the connectome is complete, researchers can proofread subcircuits as a means of generating and falsifying hypotheses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent advances in high-throughput serial-section EM and deep learning methods for image segmentation have dramatically accelerated the creation and analysis of massive wiring diagrams, or connectomes (Dorkenwald et al, 2022; Hulse et al, 2021). Thanks to these advances, multiple draft connectomes also currently exist for the adult Drosophila brain, in various states of reconstruction (Galili et al, 2022). However, the field currently lacks a connectome of the adult Drosophila VNC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tools for connectomic reconstruction and analysis of a femaleDrosophilaventral nerve cord

Azevedo

Lesser

Mark

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Like the vertebrate spinal cord, the insect ventral nerve cord (VNC) mediates limb sensation and motor control. Here, we applied automated tools for electron microscopy (EM) volume alignment, neuron reconstruction, and synapse prediction to create a draft connectome of theDrosophilaVNC. To interpret the VNC connectome, it is crucial to know its relationship with the rest of the body. We therefore mapped the muscle targets of leg and wing motor neurons in the connectome by comparing their morphology to genetic driver lines, dye fills, and x-ray holographic nano-tomography volumes of the fly leg and wing. Knowing the outputs of the connectome allowed us to identify neural circuits that coordinate the wings with the middle and front legs during escape takeoff. We provide the draft VNC connectome and motor neuron atlas, along with tools for programmatic and interactive access, as community resources.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tools for connectomic reconstruction and analysis of a femaleDrosophilaventral nerve cord

Azevedo

Lesser

Mark

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…However, nanoscale connectomics is still technologically limited in its acquisition rate, often to only one or at best a few ( < 10, e.g., [6]) individuals for a given experiment. Nevertheless, we wish to make valid inferences and comparisons between these connectomes [1–4]. The framework for two-network-sample testing presented here will facilitate these kinds of comparisons.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Connectomes – maps of neural wiring – have become increasingly important in neuroscience, and are thought to be an important window into studying how connectivity relates to neural activity, evolution, disease, genetics, and learning [1–4]. However, many of these pursuits in connectomics depend on being able to compare networks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generative network modeling reveals quantitative definitions of bilateral symmetry exhibited by a whole insect brain connectome

Pedigo

Powell

Bridgeford

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Comparing connectomes can help explain how neural connectivity is related to genetics, disease, development, learning, and behavior. However, making statistical inferences about the significance and nature of differences between two networks is an open problem, and such analysis has not been extensively applied to nanoscale connectomes. Here, we investigate this problem via a case study on the bilateral symmetry of a larval Drosophila brain connectome. We translate notions of "bilateral symmetry" to generative models of the network structure of the left and right hemispheres, allowing us to test and refine our understanding of symmetry. We find significant differences in connection probabilities both across the entire left and right networks and between specific cell types. By rescaling connection probabilities or removing certain edges based on weight, we also present adjusted definitions of bilateral symmetry exhibited by this connectome. This work shows how statistical inferences from networks can inform the study of connectomes, facilitating future comparisons of neural structures.

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“…those directly linking the lateral horn and mushroom body [ 118 , 119 ]). Such high-resolution anatomical data presents both opportunities and challenges [ 120 ]: although we can now trace sensory pathways from OSNs to deep within the brain, the wide dispersal of information across the network (e.g. preprints [ 112 , 121 ]) is daunting, as it remains non-trivial to investigate the physiological and behavioural relevance of such complex connectivity.…”

Section: Circuitrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Drosophila olfaction: past, present and future

Benton

2022

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Among the many wonders of nature, the sense of smell of the fly Drosophila melanogaster might seem, at first glance, of esoteric interest. Nevertheless, for over a century, the ‘nose’ of this insect has been an extraordinary system to explore questions in animal behaviour, ecology and evolution, neuroscience, physiology and molecular genetics. The insights gained are relevant for our understanding of the sensory biology of vertebrates, including humans, and other insect species, encompassing those detrimental to human health. Here, I present an overview of our current knowledge of D. melanogaster olfaction, from molecules to behaviours, with an emphasis on the historical motivations of studies and illustration of how technical innovations have enabled advances. I also highlight some of the pressing and long-term questions.

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Connectomics and the neural basis of behaviour

Cited by 30 publications

References 88 publications

Tools for connectomic reconstruction and analysis of a femaleDrosophilaventral nerve cord

Tools for connectomic reconstruction and analysis of a femaleDrosophilaventral nerve cord

Generative network modeling reveals quantitative definitions of bilateral symmetry exhibited by a whole insect brain connectome

Drosophila olfaction: past, present and future

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