Neuroscientists Map Brain Circuitry for Color Perception in Fruit Flies

Columbia University research uncovers how specific neurons in the optic lobe transform light wavelengths into color perceptions.

Researchers identified neurons in fruit flies' optic lobes that respond selectively to different hues.
The discovery was enabled by a detailed connectome of the fruit fly brain.
Mathematical models were used to simulate and understand the neural circuitry involved.
Disrupting the recurrent connectivity in these circuits caused the loss of hue-selective activity.
Findings may help explain neural mechanisms underlying color perception in other species, including humans.