scholarly journals Photosensitive Melanopsin-Containing Retinal Ganglion Cells in Health and Disease: Implications for Circadian Rhythms

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Lax ◽  
Isabel Ortuño-Lizarán ◽  
Victoria Maneu ◽  
Manuel Vidal-Sanz ◽  
Nicolás Cuenca
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Healthy Humans ◽  
Cell Alterations ◽  
Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs) represent a third class of retinal photoreceptors involved in regulating the pupillary light reflex and circadian photoentrainment, among other things. The functional integrity of the circadian system and melanopsin cells is an essential component of well-being and health, being both impaired in aging and disease. Here we review evidence of melanopsin-expressing cell alterations in aging and neurodegenerative diseases and their correlation with the development of circadian rhythm disorders. In healthy humans, the average density of melanopsin-positive cells falls after age 70, accompanied by age-dependent atrophy of dendritic arborization. In addition to aging, inner and outer retinal diseases also involve progressive deterioration and loss of mRGCs that positively correlates with progressive alterations in circadian rhythms. Among others, mRGC number and plexus complexity are impaired in Parkinson’s disease patients; changes that may explain sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in this pathology. The key role of mRGCs in circadian photoentrainment and their loss in age and disease endorse the importance of eye care, even if vision is lost, to preserve melanopsin ganglion cells and their essential functions in the maintenance of an adequate quality of life.

scholarly journals Multimodal evaluation of the melanopsin retinal ganglion cells system in relation to circadian rhythms in Alzheimer’s disease and aging

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (S5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara La Morgia ◽  
Micaela Mitolo ◽  
Aurelia Santoro ◽  
Martina Romagnoli ◽  
Michelangelo Stanzani Maserati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Retinal Ganglion

scholarly journals Targeted Destruction of Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells with a Saporin Conjugate Alters the Effects of Light on Mouse Circadian Rhythms

PLoS ONE ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
pp. e3153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didem Göz ◽  
Keith Studholme ◽  
Douglas A. Lappi ◽  
Mark D. Rollag ◽  
Ignacio Provencio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Retinal Ganglion

scholarly journals Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells of the Human Retina

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludovic S. Mure
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Human Retina ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Rods And Cones ◽  
Light And Gene Expression

Light profoundly affects our mental and physical health. In particular, light, when not delivered at the appropriate time, may have detrimental effects. In mammals, light is perceived not only by rods and cones but also by a subset of retinal ganglion cells that express the photopigment melanopsin that renders them intrinsically photosensitive (ipRGCs). ipRGCs participate in contrast detection and play critical roles in non-image-forming vision, a set of light responses that include circadian entrainment, pupillary light reflex (PLR), and the modulation of sleep/alertness, and mood. ipRGCs are also found in the human retina, and their response to light has been characterized indirectly through the suppression of nocturnal melatonin and PLR. However, until recently, human ipRGCs had rarely been investigated directly. This gap is progressively being filled as, over the last years, an increasing number of studies provided descriptions of their morphology, responses to light, and gene expression. Here, I review the progress in our knowledge of human ipRGCs, in particular, the different morphological and functional subtypes described so far and how they match the murine subtypes. I also highlight questions that remain to be addressed. Investigating ipRGCs is critical as these few cells play a major role in our well-being. Additionally, as ipRGCs display increased vulnerability or resilience to certain disorders compared to conventional RGCs, a deeper knowledge of their function could help identify therapeutic approaches or develop diagnostic tools. Overall, a better understanding of how light is perceived by the human eye will help deliver precise light usage recommendations and implement light-based therapeutic interventions to improve cognitive performance, mood, and life quality.

scholarly journals Melanopic stimulation does not alter psychophysical threshold sensitivity for luminance flicker

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris Vincent ◽  
Edda B. Haggerty ◽  
David H. Brainard ◽  
Geoffrey K. Aguirre
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Visual Perception ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Threshold Sensitivity ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Pupil Response ◽  
Visual Functions ◽  
Psychophysical Threshold ◽  
Rod And Cone Photoreceptors

AbstractIn addition to the rod and cone photoreceptors the retina contains intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These cells express the photopigment melanopsin and are known to be involved in reflexive visual functions such as pupil response and photo-entrainment of the circadian rhythm. It is possible that the ipRGCs contribute to conscious visual perception, either by providing an independent signal to the geniculo-striate pathway, or by interacting with and thus modifying signals arising from “classical” retinal ganglion cells that combine and contrast cone input. Here, we tested for the existence of an interaction by asking if a 350% change in melanopsin stimulation alters psychophysical sensitivity for the detection of luminance flicker. In Experiment 1, we tested for a change in the threshold for detecting luminance flicker in three participants after they adapted to backgrounds with different degrees of tonic melanopsin stimulation. In Experiments 2 and 3, this test was repeated, but now for luminance flicker presented on a transient pedestal of melanopsin stimulation. Across the three experiments, no effect of melanopsin stimulation upon threshold flicker sensitivity was found. Our results suggest that even large changes in melanopsin stimulation do not affect near-threshold, cone-mediated visual perception.

scholarly journals Melanopic stimulation does not affect psychophysical threshold sensitivity for luminance flicker

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris Vincent ◽  
Edda B Haggerty ◽  
David H. Brainard ◽  
Geoffrey Karl Aguirre
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Visual Perception ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Threshold Sensitivity ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Cone Photoreceptors ◽  
Pupil Response ◽  
Visual Functions ◽  
Psychophysical Threshold

In addition to the cone photoreceptors the retina contains intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These cells express the photopigment melanopsin and are known to be involved in reflexive visual functions such as pupil response and photo-entrainment of the circadian rhythm. It is possible that the ipRGCs contribute to conscious visual perception, either by providing an independent signal to the geniculo-striate pathway, or by interacting with and thus modifying signals arising from "classical" retinal ganglion cells that combine and contrast cone input. Here, we tested for the existence of an interaction by asking if a 350% change in melanopsin stimulation alters psychophysical sensitivity for the detection of luminance flicker. In Experiment 1, we tested for a change in the threshold for detecting luminance flicker in three participants after they adapted to backgrounds with different degrees of tonic melanopsin stimulation. In Experiments 2 and 3, this test was repeated, but now for luminance flicker presented on a transient pedestal of melanopsin stimulation. Across the three experiments, no effect of melanopsin stimulation upon threshold flicker sensitivity was found. Our results suggest that even large changes in melanopsin stimulation do not affect near-threshold, cone-mediated visual perception.

Multimodal evaluation of the melanopsin retinal ganglion cells system in relation to circadian rhythms in Alzheimer's disease and aging

2021 ◽  
Vol 429 ◽  
pp. 118980
Author(s):  
Chiara La Morgia ◽  
Micaela Mitolo ◽  
Aurelia Santoro ◽  
Martina Romagnoli ◽  
Michelangelo Stanzani Maserati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Retinal Ganglion

scholarly journals Why Directionality Is an Important Light Factor for Human Health to Consider in Lighting Design?

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Khademagha ◽  
Myriam Aries ◽  
Alexander Rosemann ◽  
Evert Van Loenen
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lighting Design ◽  
Human Vision ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Being There ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Stimulation Of

aims at meeting human vision and health requirements. Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells (ipRGCs) appear to play an essential role in stimulation of the non-image forming effects and thus human health and well-being. There are indications that radiation incident contributes to the magnitude of these effects. This review summarizes current studies on humans and animals related to radiation directionality as well as the spatial distribution of ipRGCs on the retina. New insights can facilitate and optimize the incorporation of radiation directionality in building lighting design.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document