Approach sensitivity in the retina processed by a multifunctional neural circuit
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Münch, Thomas A, da Silveira, Rava Azeredo, Siegert, Sandra, Viney, Tim James, Awatramani, Gautam B and Roska, Botond (2009) Approach sensitivity in the retina processed by a multifunctional neural circuit. Nature Neuroscience, 12 (10). pp. 1308-1316. ISSN 1097-6256
Abstract
The detection of approaching objects, such as looming predators, is necessary for survival. Which neurons and circuits mediate this function? We combined genetic labeling of cell types, two-photon microscopy, electrophysiology and theoretical modeling to address this question. We identify an approach-sensitive ganglion cell type in the mouse retina, resolve elements of its afferent neural circuit, and describe how these confer approach sensitivity on the ganglion cell. The circuit's essential building block is a rapid inhibitory pathway: it selectively suppresses responses to non-approaching objects. This rapid inhibitory pathway, which includes AII amacrine cells connected to bipolar cells through electrical synapses, was previously described in the context of night-time vision. In the daytime conditions of our experiments, the same pathway conveys signals in the reverse direction. The dual use of a neural pathway in different physiological conditions illustrates the efficiency with which several functions can be accommodated in a single circuit.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Additional Information: | Author can archive post-print (ie final draft post-refereeing); Publisher's version/PDF cannot be used |
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| Date Deposited: | 22 Feb 2010 11:49 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Jan 2013 00:47 |
| URI: | https://oak.novartis.com/id/eprint/2231 |