Summary
This dissertation investigates how intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) undergo circuit plasticity during retinal development, finding that electrical coupling among ipRGCs increases in the absence of normal activity. These findings have implications for understanding how early visual system development shapes adult photoreceptor function, which is foundational to designing light exposures that effectively engage the melanopsin system.
Key Findings
- Electrical coupling of ipRGCs increases in the absence of correlated activity, suggesting compensatory plasticity mechanisms in the developing retina.
- ipRGC coupling facilitates recovery of correlated retinal activity, indicating a functional role for gap junction connectivity in early visual circuit formation.
Categories
The Science of Light: Investigates ipRGC circuit plasticity and electrical coupling mechanisms in the developing retina, directly relevant to photoreceptor biology.
Eye Health & Vision: Examines retinal ganglion cell development and circuit formation, with implications for understanding retinal health and function.
Author(s)
L Kirkby
Publication Year
2014
Related Publications
The Science of Light
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- Color appearance models
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice
Eye Health & Vision
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Genetic reactivation of cone photoreceptors restores visual responses in retinitis pigmentosa
- Melanopsin and rod–cone photoreceptors play different roles in mediating pupillary light responses during exposure to continuous light in humans
- Characteristic patterns of dendritic remodeling in early-stage glaucoma: evidence from genetically identified retinal ganglion cell types
- Intrinsically photosensitive melanopsin retinal ganglion cell contributions to the pupillary light reflex and circadian rhythm