Biomaterial Database

Dissection of the neuron network in the catfish inner retina. II. Interactions between ganglion cells. 1988

H M Sakai, and K Naka

National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan.

1. To characterize signal interactions between ganglion cells, extrinsic current, either sinusoidally or white-noise modulated, was injected into a ganglion cell and the resulting extracellular spike discharges were recorded from a neighboring ganglion cell. 2. Current injected into an ON-ganglion (GA) cell modulated the spike discharges of a neighboring ON-ganglion cell (GA). Similarly, a current injected into an OFF-ganglion (GB) cell modulated the spike discharges of a neighboring OFF-ganglion (GB) cell. The signal transmission between ganglion cells of the same response polarity was fast and sign-noninverting. The transfer function was lowpass with a cutoff frequency of 30 Hz. The efficacy of the transmission was comparable to that from bipolar or amacrine to ganglion cells of the same polarity. 3. Current injected into an ON-ganglion (GA) cell modulated the spike discharges of a neighboring OFF-ganglion (GB) cell; the signal transmission was slow and sign-noninverting. Correspondingly, current injected into an OFF-ganglion (GB) cell modulated the spike discharges of a neighboring ON-ganglion (GA) cell; transmission was slow and sign-inverting. 4. A brief electrical stimulation of the optic nerve activated a single antidromic ganglion cell spike at threshold. With suprathreshold stimulation, multiple spikes appeared, which probably were activated orthodromically. Changes in membrane potential of ganglion and amacrine cells induced by optic nerve stimulation usually lasted 50-80 ms, with an initial depolarization followed by hyperpolarization. We interpret such long-lasting responses to be mediated by reciprocal circuits that include amacrine, bipolar, and ganglion cells. 5. Together with the observations made by Sakai and Naka, we conclude that virtually almost all amacrine, bipolar, and ganglion cells are functionally interconnected; direct and fast connections are established among ON-cells and similarly among OFF-cells, and complex, indirect connections are established between ON- and OFF-cells.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007059	Ictaluridae	A family of North American freshwater CATFISHES. It consists of four genera (Ameiurus, Ictalurus, Noturus, Pylodictis,) comprising several species, two of which are eyeless.	Ameiurus,Catfish, Channel,Channel Catfish,Ictalurus,Bullhead Catfishes,Catfishes, Channel,Channel Catfishes,Ictalurus punctatus,Noturus,Pylodictis,Pylodictus,Catfishes, Bullhead
D009415	Nerve Net	A meshlike structure composed of interconnecting nerve cells that are separated at the synaptic junction or joined to one another by cytoplasmic processes. In invertebrates, for example, the nerve net allows nerve impulses to spread over a wide area of the net because synapses can pass information in any direction.	Neural Networks (Anatomic),Nerve Nets,Net, Nerve,Nets, Nerve,Network, Neural (Anatomic),Networks, Neural (Anatomic),Neural Network (Anatomic)
D009424	Nervous System Physiological Phenomena	Characteristic properties and processes of the NERVOUS SYSTEM as a whole or with reference to the peripheral or the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nervous System Physiologic Processes,Nervous System Physiological Processes,Nervous System Physiology,Nervous System Physiological Concepts,Nervous System Physiological Phenomenon,Nervous System Physiological Process,Physiology, Nervous System,System Physiology, Nervous
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009900	Optic Nerve	The 2nd cranial nerve which conveys visual information from the RETINA to the brain. The nerve carries the axons of the RETINAL GANGLION CELLS which sort at the OPTIC CHIASM and continue via the OPTIC TRACTS to the brain. The largest projection is to the lateral geniculate nuclei; other targets include the SUPERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI. Though known as the second cranial nerve, it is considered part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cranial Nerve II,Second Cranial Nerve,Nervus Opticus,Cranial Nerve, Second,Cranial Nerves, Second,Nerve, Optic,Nerve, Second Cranial,Nerves, Optic,Nerves, Second Cranial,Optic Nerves,Second Cranial Nerves
D010775	Photic Stimulation	Investigative technique commonly used during ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY in which a series of bright light flashes or visual patterns are used to elicit brain activity.	Stimulation, Photic,Visual Stimulation,Photic Stimulations,Stimulation, Visual,Stimulations, Photic,Stimulations, Visual,Visual Stimulations
D012160	Retina	The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.	Ora Serrata
D002397	Catfishes	Common name of the order Siluriformes. This order contains many families and over 2,000 species, including venomous species. Heteropneustes and Plotosus genera have dangerous stings and are aggressive. Most species are passive stingers.	Eremophilus mutisii,Heteropneustes,Plotosus,Siluriformes,Arius,Catfish,Colombian Catfish,Catfish, Colombian
D002450	Cell Communication	Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP.	Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical