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Inhibitory network properties shaping the light evoked responses of cat alpha retinal ganglion cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 November 2003

BRENDAN J. O'BRIEN ,
RANDAL C. RICHARDSON  and
DAVID M. BERSON
BRENDAN J. O'BRIEN
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Box 1953, Providence Present address: Department of Optometry and Visual Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
RANDAL C. RICHARDSON
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Box 1953, Providence
DAVID M. BERSON
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Box 1953, Providence
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Abstract

Cat retinal ganglion cells of the Y (or alpha) type respond to luminance changes opposite those preferred by their receptive-field centers with a transient hyperpolarization. Here, we examine the spatial organization and synaptic basis of this light response by means of whole-cell current-clamp recordings made in vitro. The hyperpolarization was largest when stimulus spots approximated the size of the receptive-field center, and diminished substantially for larger spots. The hyperpolarization was largely abolished by bath application of strychnine, a blocker of glycinergic inhibition. Picrotoxin, an antagonist of ionotropic GABA receptors, greatly reduced the attenuation of the hyperpolarizing response for large spots. The data are consistent with a model in which (1) the hyperpolarization reflects inhibition by glycinergic amacrine cells of bipolar terminals presynaptic to the alpha cells, and perhaps direct inhibition of the alpha cell as well; and (2) the attenuation of the hyperpolarization by large spots reflects surround inhibition of the glycinergic amacrine by GABAergic amacrine cells. This circuitry may moderate nonlinearities in the alpha-cell light response and could account for some excitatory and inhibitory influences on alpha cells known to arise from outside the classical receptive field.

Keywords

RetinaRetinal ganglion cellGamma amino butyric acid (GABA)GlycineAmacrine cell
Type
Research Article
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , July 2003 , pp. 351 - 361
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

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