@article {70287, title = {Orofacial behaviors, not eye movements, govern neural activity in mouse visual cortex}, journal = {bioRxiv}, year = {2026}, month = {2026 Feb 05}, abstract = {

Neural activity in mouse primary visual cortex (V1) correlates strongly with orofacial movements. Such strong modulation has not been found in the primate visual cortex during eye fixation [1], which led to the suggestion that the modulation may primarily depend on eye movements in both species [2]. Here we examined the influence of eye movements on neural activity in mouse visual cortex both in complete darkness and in the presence of different types of visual input. In all cases, we found that eye movements explain a smaller fraction of neural activity variance compared to orofacial behaviors. Additionally, we found that eye movements were correlated to orofacial movements, such as whisking and sniffing, and thus may be indirectly correlated to neural activity. These results further emphasize the impact of movement signals on mouse visual cortex during free viewing behavior.

}, doi = {10.64898/2026.02.04.703800}, url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2026/02/05/2026.02.04.703800}, author = {Syeda, Atika and N{\'u}{\~n}ez-Ochoa, Miguel Angel and Zhong, Lin and Pachitariu, Marius and Stringer, Carsen} } @article {69946, title = {Neuronal growth patterns and synapse formation are mediated by distinct activity-dependent mechanisms.}, journal = {Sci Rep}, volume = {15}, year = {2025}, month = {2025 May 19}, pages = {17338}, abstract = {

All brain functions in animals rely upon neuronal connectivity that is established during early development. Although the activity-dependent mechanisms are deemed important for brain development and adult synaptic plasticity, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms remain however, largely unknown. This lack of fundamental knowledge regarding developmental neuronal assembly owes its existence to the complexity of the mammalian brain as cell-cell interactions between individual neurons cannot be investigated directly. Here, we used individually identified synaptic partners from Lymnaea stagnalis to interrogate the role of neuronal activity patterns over an extended time period during various growth time points and synaptogenesis. Using intracellular recordings, microelectrode arrays, and time-lapse imaging, we identified unique patterns of activity throughout neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. Perturbation of voltage-gated Ca channels compromised neuronal growth patterns which also invoked a protein kinase A mediated pathway. Our findings underscore the importance of unique activity patterns in regulating neuronal growth, neurite branching, and synapse formation, and identify the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms.

}, keywords = {Animals, Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases, Lymnaea, Neurites, Neurogenesis, Neuronal Outgrowth, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Synapses}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-00806-9}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00806-9}, author = {Yacoub, Matthew and Iqbal, Fahad and Khan, Zainab and Syeda, Atika and Lijnse, Thomas and Syed, Naweed I} }