scholarly journals Visual stimulation induces distinct forms of sensitization of On-Off direction-selective ganglion cell responses in the dorsal and ventral retina

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Huang ◽  
Alan Jaehyun Kim ◽  
Hector Acaron Ledesma ◽  
Jennifer Ding ◽  
Robert G Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Visual Fields ◽  
Excitatory Input ◽  
Direction Selectivity ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Neuronal Responses ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Visual Inputs ◽  
Dorsal Cells

Experience-dependent modulation of neuronal responses is a key attribute in sensory processing. In the mammalian retina, the On-Off direction-selective ganglion cell (On-Off DSGC) is well known for its robust direction selectivity. However, how the On-Off DSGC light responsiveness dynamically adjusts to the changing visual environment is underexplored. Here, we report that the On-Off DSGC can be transiently sensitized by prior stimuli. Notably, distinct sensitization patterns are found in dorsal and ventral DSGCs that receive visual inputs from lower and upper visual fields respectively. Although responses of both dorsal and ventral DSGCs to dark stimuli (Off responses) are sensitized, only dorsal cells show sensitization of responses to bright stimuli (On responses). Visual stimulation to the dorsal retina potentiates a sustained excitatory input from Off bipolar cells, leading to tonic depolarization of dorsal DSGCs. Such tonic depolarization propagates from the Off to the On dendritic arbor of the DSGC to sensitize its On response. We also identified a previously overlooked feature of DSGC dendritic architecture that can support direct electrotonic propagation between On and Off dendritic layers. By contrast, ventral DSGCs lack a sensitized tonic depolarization and thus do not exhibit sensitization of their On responses. Our results highlight a topographic difference in Off bipolar cell inputs underlying divergent sensitization patterns of dorsal and ventral On-Off DSGCs. Moreover, substantial crossovers between dendritic layers of On-Off DSGCs suggest an interactive dendritic algorithm for processing On and Off signals before they reach the soma.

scholarly journals Light adaptation alters inner retinal inhibition to shape OFF retinal pathway signaling

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (6) ◽  
pp. 2761-2778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reece E. Mazade ◽  
Erika D. Eggers
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Bipolar Cell ◽  
Light Adaptation ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Excitatory Input ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Visual Sensitivity ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Wide Range

The retina adjusts its signaling gain over a wide range of light levels. A functional result of this is increased visual acuity at brighter luminance levels (light adaptation) due to shifts in the excitatory center-inhibitory surround receptive field parameters of ganglion cells that increases their sensitivity to smaller light stimuli. Recent work supports the idea that changes in ganglion cell spatial sensitivity with background luminance are due in part to inner retinal mechanisms, possibly including modulation of inhibition onto bipolar cells. To determine how the receptive fields of OFF cone bipolar cells may contribute to changes in ganglion cell resolution, the spatial extent and magnitude of inhibitory and excitatory inputs were measured from OFF bipolar cells under dark- and light-adapted conditions. There was no change in the OFF bipolar cell excitatory input with light adaptation; however, the spatial distributions of inhibitory inputs, including both glycinergic and GABAergic sources, became significantly narrower, smaller, and more transient. The magnitude and size of the OFF bipolar cell center-surround receptive fields as well as light-adapted changes in resting membrane potential were incorporated into a spatial model of OFF bipolar cell output to the downstream ganglion cells, which predicted an increase in signal output strength with light adaptation. We show a prominent role for inner retinal spatial signals in modulating the modeled strength of bipolar cell output to potentially play a role in ganglion cell visual sensitivity and acuity.

Signal transmission in the catfish retina. IV. Transmission to ganglion cells

1987 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1307-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Sakai ◽  
K. Naka
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
C Cells ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Major Transformation ◽  
Type C

1. To characterize the temporal dynamic responses of ganglion cells and to define the possible inputs giving rise to their responses in catfish retina, we recorded the ganglion cell responses evoked by 1) a step of light presented in the dark, 2) an incremental and decremental step from a background illumination, and 3) a white-noise modulated light. 2. For comparison, we recorded the responses of preganglionic cells evoked by the same set of stimuli as used for the ganglion cells. Type-C cells produced on-off transient depolarizations to step stimuli, whether presented in the dark or an illuminated background. Type-N amacrine cells produced complex transient responses to incremental and decremental steps, whereas their step-evoked responses in the dark were sustained polarizations. Bipolar cells produced sustained responses to all step stimuli. 3. Ganglion cells were classified into three types, based on their responses evoked by incremental and decremental steps of light. One class of ganglion cells produced responses similar to those of type-C cells, the second class produced responses similar to those of type-N cells, and the third class resembled bipolar cell responses, although spike discharges accompanied the ganglion cell responses. 4. The analysis of the first-order kernels indicates that the temporal properties of linear dynamic responses are established at the level of bipolar cells and encoded into spike trains of ganglion cells without a major transformation. 5. The second-order nonlinearity appeared at the amacrine cell level. Type-C and type-N cells produced a second-order kernel characteristic of each cell type. The second-order kernels produced in ganglion cells were similar to those produced either by type-C or type-N cells. 6. We conclude that bipolar cells are the major source of linear components of ganglion cell responses and that type-C and type-N amacrine cells are the major source of the nonlinear responses. These linear and second-order nonlinear signals were encoded into spike trains by ganglion cells without a major transformation of the temporal response properties.

scholarly journals Modeling simple-cell direction selectivity with normalized, half-squared, linear operators

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 1885-1898 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Heeger
Keyword(s):  
Linear Prediction ◽  
Direction Selectivity ◽  
Linear Operators ◽  
Simple Cell ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Simple Cells ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Preferred Direction ◽  
Model Cell ◽  
Actual Response

1. A longstanding view of simple cells is that they sum their inputs linearly. However, the linear model falls short of a complete account of simple-cell direction selectivity. We have developed a nonlinear model of simple-cell responses (hereafter referred to as the normalization model) to explain a larger body of physiological data. 2. The normalization model consists of an underlying linear stage along with two additional nonlinear stages. The first is a half-squaring nonlinearity; half-squaring is half-wave rectification followed by squaring. The second is a divisive normalization non-linearity in which each model cell is suppressed by the pooled activity of a large number of cells. 3. By comparing responses with counterphase (flickering) gratings and drifting gratings, researchers have demonstrated that there is a nonlinear contribution to simple-cell responses. Specifically they found 1) that the linear prediction from counterphase grating responses underestimates a direction index computed from drifting grating responses, 2) that the linear prediction correctly estimates responses to gratings drifting in the preferred direction, and 3) that the linear prediction overestimates responses to gratings drifting in the nonpreferred direction. 4. We have simulated model cell responses and derived mathematical expressions to demonstrate that the normalization model accounts for this empirical data. Specifically the model behaves as follows. 1) The linear prediction from counterphase data underestimates the direction index computed from drifting grating responses. 2) The linear prediction from counterphase data overestimates the response to gratings drifting in the nonpreferred direction. The discrepancy between the linear prediction and the actual response is greater when using higher contrast stimuli. 3) For an appropriate choice of contrast, the linear prediction from counterphase data correctly estimates the response to gratings drifting in the preferred direction. For higher contrasts the linear prediction overestimates the actual response, and for lower contrasts the linear prediction underestimates the actual response. 5. In addition, the normalization model is qualitatively consistent with data on the dynamics of simple-cell responses. Tolhurst et al. found that simple cells respond with an initial transient burst of activity when a stimulus first appears. The normalization model behaves similarly; it takes some time after a stimulus first appears before the model cells are fully normalized. We derived the dynamics of the model and found that the transient burst of activity in model cells depends in a particular way on stimulus contrast. The burst is short for high-contrast stimuli and longer for low-contrast stimuli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Responses to Moving Visual Stimuli in Pretectal Neurons of the Small-Spotted Dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula)

2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 200-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Andrea Masseck ◽  
Klaus-Peter Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Neuronal Responses ◽  
Vertical Movements ◽  
Scyliorhinus Canicula ◽  
Random Dot Patterns ◽  
Pretectal Area ◽  
Corpus Geniculatum Laterale ◽  
Sensitive Direction

Single-unit recordings were performed from a retinorecipient pretectal area (corpus geniculatum laterale) in Scyliorhinus canicula. The function and homology of this nucleus has not been clarified so far. During visual stimulation with a random dot pattern, 45 (35%) neurons were found to be direction selective, 10 (8%) were axis selective (best neuronal responses to rotations in both directions around one particular stimulus axis), and 75 (58%) were movement sensitive. Direction-selective responses were found to the following stimulus directions (in retinal coordinates): temporonasal and nasotemporal horizontal movements, up- and downward vertical movements, and oblique movements. All directions of motion were represented equally by our sample of pretectal neurons. Additionally we tested the responses of 58 of the 130 neurons to random dot patterns rotating around the semicircular canal or body axes to investigate whether direction-selective visual information is mapped into vestibular coordinates in pretectal neurons of this chondrichthyan species. Again all rotational directions were represented equally, which argues against a direct transformation from a retinal to a vestibular reference frame. If a complete transformation had occurred, responses to rotational axes corresponding to the axes of the semicircular canals should have been overrepresented. In conclusion, the recorded direction-selective neurons in the Cgl are plausible detectors for retinal slip created by body rotations in all directions.

The Retina of Asian and African Elephants: Comparison of Newborn and Adult

2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidrun Kuhrt ◽  
Andreas Bringmann ◽  
Wolfgang Härtig ◽  
Gudrun Wibbelt ◽  
Leo Peichl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glutamine Synthetase ◽  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Horizontal Cells ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Contrast Perception ◽  
First Time

Elephants are precocial mammals that are relatively mature as newborns and mobile shortly after birth. To determine whether the retina of newborn elephants is capable of supporting the mobility of elephant calves, we compared the retinal structures of 2 newborn elephants (1 African and 1 Asian) and 2 adult animals of both species by immunohistochemical and morphometric methods. For the first time, we present here a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative characterization of the cellular composition of the newborn and the adult retinas of 2 elephant species. We found that the retina of elephants is relatively mature at birth. All retinal layers were well discernible, and various retinal cell types were detected in the newborns, including Müller glial cells (expressing glutamine synthetase and cellular retinal binding protein; CRALBP), cone photoreceptors (expressing S-opsin or M/L-opsin), protein kinase Cα-expressing bipolar cells, tyrosine hydroxylase-, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-, calbindin-, and calretinin-expressing amacrine cells, and calbindin-expressing horizontal cells. The retina of newborn elephants contains discrete horizontal cells which coexpress ChAT, calbindin, and calretinin. While the overall structure of the retina is very similar between newborn and adult elephants, various parameters change after birth. The postnatal thickening of the retinal ganglion cell axons and the increase in ganglion cell soma size are explained by the increase in body size after birth, and the decreases in the densities of neuronal and glial cells are explained by the postnatal expansion of the retinal surface area. The expression of glutamine synthetase and CRALBP in the Müller cells of newborn elephants suggests that the cells are already capable of supporting the activities of photoreceptors and neurons. As a peculiarity, the elephant retina contains both normally located and displaced giant ganglion cells, with single cells reaching a diameter of more than 50 µm in adults and therefore being almost in the range of giant retinal ganglion cells found in aquatic mammals. Some of these ganglion cells are displaced into the inner nuclear layer, a unique feature of terrestrial mammals. For the first time, we describe here the occurrence of many bistratified rod bipolar cells in the elephant retina. These bistratified bipolar cells may improve nocturnal contrast perception in elephants given their arrhythmic lifestyle.

scholarly journals Diagnostic accuracy of total macular and ganglion cell layer thickness in differentiating different stages of glaucoma: an SD-OCT study

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-108
Author(s):  
Wen Yee Lee ◽  
Norlina Mohd Ramli ◽  
Amir Samsudin ◽  
Mimiwati binti Zahari ◽  
Azida Juana binti Wan Ab Kadir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Ganglion Cell Layer ◽  
Cell Layer ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Visual Fields ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Discrimination Ability ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sd Oct

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of mean macular retinal thickness (mRT) and macular ganglion cell layer (mGCL) thickness measured by Spectralis spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) posterior pole thickness map (PPTM) in differentiating between normal and glaucoma eyes of different severity.Study design: Cross-sectional study.Methods: All subjects were divided into normal and glaucoma groups according to the visual fields-based Glaucoma Staging System. They underwent slit-lamp examination, Humphrey visual field test, and SD-OCT (PPTM) imaging. mRT and mGCL thickness measurements were recorded. Analysis of variance with the least significant difference post hoc test was used for pairwise comparison. Ability to discriminate between normal eyes and those with differing severity of glaucoma was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).Results: A total of 201 eyes from 201 subjects were enrolled in this study. The mean glaucoma was 290.2 ± 12.1 μm, 270.1 ± 17.0 μm, and 259.1 ± 15.0 μm, respectively. Mean mGCL thickness for the corresponding three groups was 32.3 ± 2.8 μm, 27.6 ± 3.3 μm and 22.2 ± 3.8μm, respectively. AUROC analysis showed excellent diagnostic discrimination between glaucoma and normal subjects for mRT (AUC: 0.90) and mGCL thickness (AUC: 0.92). The cut-off value of mRT was 274.9 μm (90% sensitivity, 75% specificity) and of mGCL thickness was 27.9 μm (93% sensitivity, 74% specificity). The discrimination ability performance of mRT and mGCL thickness deteriorated with increasing severity of glaucoma with mGCL thickness (AUC: 0.67–0.87) performing slightly better than mRT for all grades (AUC: 0.58–0.71).Conclusions: mRT and mGCL thickness measurement on PPTM showed great sensitivity and specificity to discern between normal and glaucomatous subjects. The discrimination ability of mRT and mGCL thickness, however, decreases with increasing grade of glaucoma. We believe SD-OCT PPTM offers an alternative imaging method to detect early glaucoma.

scholarly journals Place Cells in the Claustrum Remap Under NMDA Receptor Control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Rizello ◽  
Sean Martin ◽  
Jennifer Rouine ◽  
Charlotte Callaghan ◽  
Shane O'Mara
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Place Cells ◽  
Receptor Activity ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Neuronal Responses ◽  
Place Field ◽  
Visual Inputs ◽  
Delta Band ◽  
Cortical Inputs ◽  
Visual Cortical

Place cells are cells exhibiting location-dependent responses; they have mostly been studied in the hippocampus. Place cells have also been reported in the rat claustrum, an underexplored paracortical region with extensive corto-cortical connectivity. It has been hypothesised that claustral neuronal responses are anchored to cortical visual inputs. We show rat claustral place cells remap when visual inputs are eliminated from the environment and that this remapping is NMDA-receptor-dependent. Eliminating visual input enhances delta-band oscillatory activity in the claustrum, without affecting simultaneously-recorded visual cortical activity. We conclude that, like the hippocampus, claustral place field remapping might be mediated by NMDA receptor activity, and is modulated by visual cortical inputs.

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