Functional Anatomy of Frog Tecto-motor Systems

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How spatially-mapped information (in the brain) can be transformed into temporally ordered patterns of movement is the long term objective of the research program headed up by Dr. David Ingle. To achieve this end he is currently using amphibians and doing detailed kinematic analysis of components of feeding and avoidance behaviors. He will undertake new anatomical studies of the presumed neural substrate of these behaviors. Through an analysis of behavioral deficits produced by lesions of certain brain structures he can test current hypotheses as to how particular components of prey-catching and avoidance behaviors are related to components of specific brain neural projections. This work is important because Dr. Ingle is working on the lower brainstem of vertebrates and little analysis is available regarding these neural circuits and their relationship to directed movements. The analysis of sensory control of orienting behaviors in vertebrates is the expertise of Dr. Ingle and the work to be performed should greatly increase our knowledge in this field.