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Biophysical Mechanisms of Computation in a Looming Sensitive Neuron

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Book cover The Computing Dendrite

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Computational Neuroscience ((NEUROSCI,volume 11))

Abstract

The lobula giant movement detector (LGMD) is a large-field visual interneuron believed to be involved in collision avoidance and escape behaviors in orthopteran insects, such as locusts. Responses to approaching—or looming—stimuli are highly stereotypical, producing a peak that signals an angular size threshold. Over the past several decades, investigators have elucidated many of the mechanisms underpinning this response, demonstrating that the LGMD implements a multiplication in log-transformed coordinates. Furthermore, the LGMD possesses several mechanisms that preclude it responding to non-looming stimuli. This chapter explores these biophysical mechanisms, as well as highlighting insights the LGMD provides into general principles of dendritic integration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Janelia Farm Research Campus, Ashburn, VA, USA

    Simon P. Peron

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  1. Simon P. Peron
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Correspondence to Simon P. Peron .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society & Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany

    Hermann Cuntz

  2. Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Michiel W.H. Remme

  3. Department of Neurobiology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Benjamin Torben-Nielsen

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Peron, S.P. (2014). Biophysical Mechanisms of Computation in a Looming Sensitive Neuron. In: Cuntz, H., Remme, M., Torben-Nielsen, B. (eds) The Computing Dendrite. Springer Series in Computational Neuroscience, vol 11. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8094-5_17

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