Abstract
The dependence of visual orienting ability in hamsters on the axonal projections from retina to midbrain tectum provides experimenters with a good model for assessing the functional regeneration of this central nervous system axonal pathway. For reliable testing of this behavior, male animals at least 10–12 weeks old are prepared by regular pretesting, with all procedures carried out during the less active portion of the daily activity cycle. Using a sunflower seed attached to a small black ball held at the end of a stiff wire, and avoiding whisker contact, turning movements toward visual stimuli are video recorded from above. Because at the eye level, the nasal-most 30° of the visual field can be seen by both the eyes, this part of the field is avoided in assessments of a single side. Daily sessions consist of ten presentations per side. Measures are frequency of responding and detailed turning trajectories. Complete assessment of the functional return of behavior in this testing paradigm takes 3–6 months to complete.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ellis-Behnke, R.G. et al. Nano neuro knitting: peptide nanofiber scaffold for brain repair and axon regeneration with functional return of vision. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103, 5054–5059 (2006).
Carman, L.S. & Schneider, G.E. Orienting behavior in hamsters with lesions of superior colliculus, pretectum, and visual cortex. Exp. Brain Res. 90, 79–91 (1992).
Diao, Y.C. & So, K.F. Dendritic morphology of visual callosal neurons in the golden hamster. Brain Behav. Evol. 37, 1–9 (1991).
Finlay, B.L., Marder, K. & Cordon, D. Acquisition of visuomotor behavior after neonatal tectal lesions in the hamster: the role of visual experience. J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol. 94, 506–518 (1980).
Finlay, B.L. & Sengelaub, D.R. Toward a neuroethology of mammalian vision: ecology and anatomy of rodent visuomotor behavior. Behav. Brain Res. 3, 133–149 (1981).
Finlay, B.L., Sengelaub, D.R., Berg, A.T. & Cairns, S.J. A neuroethological approach to hamster vision. Behav. Brain Res. 1, 479–496 (1980).
Jen, L.S. et al. Correlation between the visual callosal connections and the retinotopic organization in striate–peristriate border region in the hamster: an anatomical and physiological study. Neuroscience 13, 1003–1010 (1984).
Schneider, G.E. Contrasting visuomotor functions of tectum and cortex in the golden hamster. Psychol. Forsch. 31, 52–62 (1967).
Schneider, G.E. Two visual systems. Science 163, 895–902 (1969).
Schneider, G.E. Early lesions of superior colliculus: factors affecting the formation of abnormal retinal projections. Brain Behav. Evol. 8, 73–109 (1973).
Schneider, G.E. Is it really better to have your brain lesion early? A revision of the “Kennard principle”. Neuropsychologia 17, 557–583 (1979).
Siegel, H.I. in The Hamster: Reproduction and Behavior (Plenum Press, New York, 1985).
So, K.F., Campbell, G. & Lieberman, A.R. Development of the mammalian retinogeniculate pathway: target finding, transient synapses and binocular segregation. J. Exp. Biol. 153, 85–104 (1990).
So, K.F., Schneider, G.E. & Ayres, S. Lesions of the brachium of the superior colliculus in neonate hamsters: correlation of anatomy with behavior. Exp. Neurol. 72, 379–400 (1981).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Supplementary information
Supplementary Video 1
Hyperactive (MOV 51822 kb)
Supplementary Video 2
Freezing (MOV 25743 kb)
Supplementary Video 3
Whisker (MOV 1827 kb)
Supplementary Video 4
Day One (MOV 21674 kb)
Supplementary Video 5
Restored Vision (MOV 4075 kb)
Supplementary Video 6
3rd Month of testing a recovered experimental (MOV 78054 kb)
Supplementary Video 7
Blind Control (MOV 16695 kb)
Supplementary Video 8
Normal Side Control (MOV 3116 kb)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schneider, G., Ellis-Behnke, R., Liang, Y. et al. Behavioral testing and preliminary analysis of the hamster visual system. Nat Protoc 1, 1898–1905 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2006.240
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2006.240
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.