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Attention Seeking

The brain circuits involved in behavioural responses

09 March 2021

Attention Seeking

How does the brain choose what to focus on? – paying 'selective attention' to a choice of computer pixels, moving cars, snowballs coming from all angles. Seeking clues in the brain of a genetic relative, scientists decided to put a zebrafish like this one into virtual reality – simulating predators coming in from the left and right at the same time. Watching as neurons fire inside the conveniently-transparent fish, researchers trace out brain circuits driving different choices – pay attention to one threat and dart in the opposite direction, or take both predators into account and heroically swim through the middle. Identifying these brain circuits sets the scene for studies into how and why the different responses occur – while searching for similar circuits helping us make our way in the world outside.

Written by John Ankers

Published in Neuron, December 2020

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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