The optokinetic response in zebrafish and its applications (original) (raw)

IMR Press / FBL / Volume 13 / Issue 5 / DOI: 10.2741/2810

Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (FBL) is published by IMR Press from Volume 26 Issue 5 (2021). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Frontiers in Bioscience.

Article

The optokinetic response in zebrafish and its applications

Affiliation

1 Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Department of Biology,Zurich, Switzerland

2 Institute of Zoology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Published: 1 January 2008

Abstract

The optokinetic response (OKR) is a stereotyped eye movement in response to movement in he surround. The OKR serves to stabilize the visual image on the retina, and allows for high resolution vision. Due to its high selection value, all vertebrates display this basic behavior. Here, we review the properties of the OKR with a focus on the zebrafish, including methodological aspects of measuring eye movements in small larvae. The genetic amenabilities of the zebrafish model permit the use of this reflexive behavior in genetic screens. Such approaches have led to the isolation of mutant strains with specific defects in the visual pathway. In addition to the use of the OKR as a screening assay, mutations with characteristic abnormalities in the execution of this behavior will enable the analysis of sensory-motor control in great detail. A case in point is the belladonna mutation, where an axonal misrouting effect at the optic chiasm leads to a reversed OKR with a number of interesting properties.

Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) Print ISSN 2768-6701 Electronic ISSN 2768-6698

Disclaimer

We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here