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Rapid dynamics of dorsal raphe serotonin neurons regulate the strength of visual attention

Jonas Lehnert (QLS Graduate), University of Ottawa
Tuesday April 28, 12-1pm
Zoom Link:听
In Person: 550 Sherbrooke, Room 189

Abstract:听Every moment, a spotlight of attention roams the visual field to enhance detection of salient stimuli. While recent work has revealed how the brain selects salient relevant stimuli (attentional focus), it remains unclear how attention is modulated to suit fluctuating target salience or internal needs (attentional strength). Drawing on recently published work combining optical recordings and targeted perturbations in mice performing a cued detection task, I will present circuit-level evidence that rapid serotonergic dynamics selectively regulate attentional strength. When combined with computational modeling of cortical dorsal raphe serotonin signaling, these findings suggest that the brain independently controls attentional strength and attentional focus and identify rapid serotonergic neuromodulation as a new regulator of attentional strength.

Jonas is a recent QLS graduate who is currently a postdoc in the聽B茅茂que Lab, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa.