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Cited by 611Visual perception and processing mechanismsMemory and Neural MechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Rapid innate defensive responses of mice to looming visual stimuli

Open access
Yilmaz, Melis, Meister, Markus·2013·Current Biology
DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2013.08.015PMC PMC3809337
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Abstract

Much of brain science is concerned with understanding the neural circuits that underlie specific behaviors. While the mouse has become a favorite experimental subject, the behaviors of this species are still poorly explored. For example, the mouse retina, like that of other mammals, contains ∼20 different circuits that compute distinct features of the visual scene [1, 2]. By comparison, only a handful of innate visual behaviors are known in this species--the pupil reflex [3], phototaxis [4], the optomotor response [5], and the cliff response [6]--two of which are simple reflexes that require little visual processing. We explored the behavior of mice under a visual display that simulates an approaching object, which causes defensive reactions in some other species [7, 8]. We show that mice respond to this stimulus either by initiating escape within a second or by freezing for an extended period. The probability of these defensive behaviors is strongly dependent on the parameters of the visual stimulus. Directed experiments identify candidate retinal circuits underlying the behavior and lead the way into detailed study of these neural pathways. This response is a new addition to the repertoire of innate defensive behaviors in the mouse that allows the detection and avoidance of aerial predators.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cub.2013.08.015

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  • In mice, presentation of an expanding, overhead, black disc that simulates an aerial predator approach promotes rapid escape to an available shelter, followed by long periods of freezing.

    “In mice, the presentation of an expanding, overhead, black disc that simulates an aerial predator approach (a looming stimulus) promotes rapid escape to an available shelter, followed by long periods of freezing (Yilmaz and Meister, 2013).”

    From Ventral striatum dopamine release encodes unique properties of visual stimuli in mice (2023) · cites this paper as Yilmaz and Meister, 2013

    The Results section describes an overhead, expanding black disc that prompted rapid escape to a nest and, in some mice, extended freezing (page not provided). It does not describe freezing as following escape: it says the animals that did not flee responded by freezing. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The looming discs used were empirically determined to produce short-latency escape in C57Bl/6J mice.

    “During photometry recordings, mice were exposed to trains of five overhead, black, looming discs on a light gray background that we empirically determined produce short-latency escape in C57Bl/6J mice (Figure 1E, Video 2), consistent with previous studies (Evans et al., 2018; Yilmaz and Meister, 2013).”

    From Ventral striatum dopamine release encodes unique properties of visual stimuli in mice (2023) · cites this paper as Yilmaz and Meister, 2013

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Research works printed but not linked: 27

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Authors
Yilmaz, M., & Meister, M.
Affiliations
California Institute of Technology (US)
Corresponding author
Meister, Markus
ORCID
Meister, Markus
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-10
Volume
23
Issue
20
Pages
2011-2015
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cub.2013.08.015
PMC
PMC3809337
OpenAlex
W2078340953
Cited by
611
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 64 · 2025: 71 · 2024: 73 · 2023: 63 · 2022: 65 · 2021: 54 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2
FWCI
7.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Eye Institute (R01EY014737)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
defensive behavior, looming stimuli, escape behavior, freezing behavior, retinal circuitry, visual processing, predator avoidance, aerial predators
MeSH terms
Animals, Escape Reaction, Female, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Neural Pathways, Photic Stimulation, Retina, Videotape Recording, Visual Perception, Mice

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