We sought to determine if choroidal and outer retinal deterioration occur with age in pigeons, as they do in other species, and investigated the relationship between age-related retinal and choroidal changes. In 64 pigeons ranging in age over the pigeon lifespan (0.5–20 years), we measured some or all among the following parameters: choroidal blood flow (ChBF) by laser Doppler flowmetry, choroidal thickness and choriocapillary vessel abundance by LM histology, choriocapillary endothelial cell transport specializations by EM histology, acuity by behavioral methods, and degenerating photoreceptor abundance and total photoreceptor abundance by LM histology. Regression and Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) analyses were used to characterize the pattern of age-related changes and determine the ages at or by which significant changes occurred. For the 45 birds for which we measured choroidal parameters, choriocapillary vessel abundance showed a curvilinear decline with age and half of this decline occurred by 3.5–4.6 years. The endothelial cell transport specializations called channels also declined curvilinearly with age. Choroidal thickness was slightly increased between the ages of 3–6 years, and thereafter declined steadily so that choroidal thickness in the oldest birds was half that in the youngest. ChBF showed an abrupt decline of about 20% at 4 years and a further 20% decline thereafter. In the 53 birds for which we obtained visual acuity and/or photoreceptor data, we observed a curvilinear decline in acuity (with half the decline having occurred by 8 years) and a prominent stepwise decline of about 20% in photoreceptor abundance at 4.7 years, followed by further decline thereafter. The period of major photoreceptor loss coincided with ages during which about 10% of photoreceptors appeared to show degenerative changes (4–8 years of age). Using partial correlation analysis with the common effect of age held constant, ChBF was found to have a positive correlation with acuity. Our results show that ChBF and choroidal vascularity decline significantly with age in pigeons, as do acuity and photoreceptor abundance. Our statistical analyses suggest that prominent choroidal vascular decline preceded the visual decline, and that there is a positive relationship between choroidal and visual functions. Thus, our findings are consistent with the view that age-related decline in choroidal function might contribute to age-related vision loss in pigeons.

Cell responses to drifting Cartesian (parallel) and non-Cartesian (concentric, radial, and hyperbolic) stimuli were recorded in and beyond the classical receptive field (CRF) in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), V1, and V2 of anesthetized monkeys. Many cells were equally responsive to Cartesian and non-Cartesian, especially concentric, gratings. Around 15% of cells in each area were significantly more responsive to concentric compared to parallel gratings; however, cells significantly more responsive to parallel compared to concentric gratings were more numerous in the cortex. While many cells responded to hyperbolic and radial gratings, few were most responsive to these gratings. Cell selectivity decreased for Cartesian and increased for non-Cartesian gratings from V1 to V2 and the relative response varied as a function of stimulus extent with respect to the CRF. Complex, nonoriented, nondirectional cells with a low aspect ratio (AR) responded best to non-Cartesian gratings. These results cannot be fully explained using Gabor linear/energy models of simple and complex receptive fields (RFs) although such models predict some cells to respond equally to Cartesian and non-Cartesian gratings. Cells significantly more responsive to non-Cartesian gratings can be accounted for by CRF selectivity influenced by modulation from the nonclassical receptive field (nCRF). The present study shows that Cartesian/non-Cartesian selectivity is not an emergent property of V4 cells but is present at all levels of early visual processing being subserved by a subset of cells with specific tuning properties.

The goal of the present study was to relate the dark and light-adapted flash sensitivity of the scotopic threshold response (STR) and rod b-wave of the electroretinogram (ERG) to behaviorally measured rod increment threshold responses. Small amplitudes of the dark-adapted STR and b-wave, the latter after application of NMDA, were found to increase in proportion to flash intensity. The value obtained for the sensitivity of the b-wave would be expected if signals from rods were summed linearly by the rod bipolar cell. The sensitivity of the STR could not be accounted for in terms of rod signal convergence as the source of this ERG component is still unknown. Increment threshold responses of rats were measured behaviorally in an operant conditioning chamber. At absolute threshold, on average 1 in 2400 rods were activated by the test flash. Comparison of the adaptive effects of background lights on behaviorally measured scotopic sensitivity and rod ERG sensitivity suggest that the increment threshold sensitivity of rat is regulated at three different sites in the retina.

We compared the effect of 2 days of monocular vision on the ocular dominance of cells in the visual cortex of light-reared kittens with the effect in dark-reared kittens at 6, 9, and 14 weeks of age, and analyzed the results by layer. The size of the ocular-dominance shift declined with age in all layers in light-reared animals. There was not a large change in the ocular-dominance shift with age in dark-reared animals in any layer, suggesting that dark rearing largely keeps the cortex in the immature 6-week state until 14 weeks or longer, although there was a slight decrease in layers II, III, and IV, and a slight increase in layers V and VI. At 14 weeks, the difference between light- and dark-reared animals was smallest in layer IV, larger in layers II/III, and largest in layers V/VI, suggesting that dark rearing has a large effect on intracortical synapses and a small effect on geniculocortical synapses. There was a significant ocular-dominance shift in layer IV at 14 weeks of age in both light- animals and dark-reared animals, showing that the critical period for ocular-dominance plasticity is not ended at this age. While the ocular-dominance shift after 26 h of monocular deprivation in 6-week animals was similar in light- and dark-reared animals, after 14 h it was smaller in dark-reared animals, showing that ocular-dominance changes occur more slowly in dark-reared animals at this age, in agreement with Mower (1991). Increases in selectivity for axis of movement after 26 h of monocular vision were seen in dark-reared animals at 6 weeks of age, but not at 9 or 14 weeks of age, showing that the critical period for axial selectivity ends earlier than the critical period for ocular dominance in dark-reared animals, as it does in light-reared animals.

The present study has examined the spatial and temporal expression patterns of various proteins associated with the structure and function of mature photoreceptor outer segments in the developing ferret's retina using immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. One set of proteins, including rod opsin, arrestin, and recoverin, was detected progressively in photoreceptors as they became postmitotic, being expressed well before the differentiation of outer segments. A second set of proteins, including β- and γ-transducin, cGMP-phosphodiesterase, phosducin, rhodopsin kinase, rod cGMP-gated cation channel protein, and peripherin, displayed a contrasting temporal onset and pattern of spatial emergence. These latter proteins first became detectable either shortly before or coincident with outer segment formation, and were expressed simultaneously in both older and younger photoreceptor cells. A third set, the short wavelength-sensitive (SWS) and medium wavelength-sensitive (MWS) cone opsin proteins, was the last to be detected, but materialized in a spatio-temporal pattern reminiscent of the neurogenetic gradient of the cones. These different spatial and temporal patterns indicate that cellular maturation must play a primary role in regulating the onset of expression of some of these proteins, while extrinsic signals must act to coordinate the expression of other proteins across photoreceptors of different ages.

This study measured the periphery effect and compared its magnitude when the peripheral stimulation was on the same or opposite side of the vertical meridian as the test spot. Test thresholds for a 1.5-deg diameter, 8-ms spot located 1.75 deg to one side of the vertical meridian were elevated by approximately 0.125 log units when a 0.25 cycles/deg (cpd) counterphased grating was presented at a similar eccentric offset on the other side of the vertical meridian. The periphery effect disappeared when the test spot was moved outward to 8-deg eccentricity. When the grating and test were presented on the same side of the vertical meridian, test thresholds at both retinal locations were elevated by the same amount, 0.2 log units. Consistent with the physiology in cat retina, the periphery effect in humans also crosses over the vertical meridian. However, the effect is small and the test spot must be in close proximity to the vertical meridian for it to be observed. Also, the crossover periphery effect is reduced in magnitude by 37.5% compared to when the grating and test are presented on the same side of the vertical meridian. This suggests there may be a difference in how the underlying neural mechanism that transmits the periphery effect signal laterally is organized for sending the periphery effect signal across the vertical meridian as compared to within a retinal hemifield.

A comparative study was made on one Mysticete (the fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus) and one Odontocete species (the striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba) by measuring several morphological characteristics seen in cross sections of the optic nerve. We found that the two cetacean nerves share a number of specializations that distinguish them from the optic nerve of terrestrial mammals. Fiber density is approximately two-fold lower than in land mammals. A corresponding increase in the cross-sectional area occupied by astrocytes is observed. A population of “giant” (up to 15 μm in diameter) optic axons is present in both the B. physalus and the S. coeruleoalba nerve. It is argued that these features probably reflect common adaptations to the constraints imposed by the aquatic environment. “Giant” optic axons might ensure short-latency detection of preys and other targets during navigation while the increased astroglial content might be related to the maintenance of neuronal function during periods of anaerobic metabolism under water.

Kang Derwent and Linsenmeier (2000) reported that the a- and b-waves of the cat electroretinogram (ERG) are resistant to hypoxemia, at least for PaO2 above 40 mm Hg. The a-wave may be resistant because the photoreceptor can increase glycolysis during hypoxemia. This hypothesis was tested by making the animal hypoglycemic, which should minimize the ability of the photoreceptor to switch to glycolysis. The ERG of dark-adapted anesthetized cats was recorded between an Ag/AgCl electrode in the vitreous humor and a reference electrode near the eye. Responses to bright flashes of diffuse white light were recorded at 3-min intervals during hypoxic episodes at three levels of blood glucose. The moderate hypoglycemia (50 to 70 mg/dl) had a relatively small effect on the a-wave amplitude. Furthermore, the a-wave amplitude increased transiently by 16 ± 7% within 30–40 min of the start of severe hypoglycemia (20 to 40 mg/dl), before recovering to near normal. Severe hypoglycemia alone decreased the b-wave amplitude by 15 ± 13%. Combined hypoxemia and hypoglycemia decreased the b-wave amplitude more than the a-wave amplitude. At all levels of blood glucose, b-wave decreases began at a higher PaO2 than the a-wave changes. For both the a- and b-waves, hypoxemic effects began at higher PaO2 when the animal was hypoglycemic. The increased sensitivity to hypoxemia during severe hypoglycemia suggests that a switch from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism ordinarily protects the retina from moderate hypoxemia. Because the a- and b-waves were affected to different degrees and at different PaO2s, it is unlikely that inner retinal changes are caused completely by changes in the photoreceptor.

Mature visual cortex shows a single, binocularly matched orientation map. This matching develops without visual experience. It persists despite early monocular deprivation that largely eliminates one eye's map, followed by reverse suture (deprivation of the previously open eye and opening of the previously deprived eye), even though the two eyes lack common visual experience in this case. These results have been interpreted to suggest that the structure of orientation maps either is innately predetermined or, if it arises through self-organization, is determined by external cues such as boundary conditions or a “scaffolding” of horizontal connections. We show, to the contrary, that these results are the expected outcomes if orientation maps develop through activity-instructed, correlation-based development of the geniculocortical connections without additional cues. A weak, binocularly correlated orientation map is known to exist before deprivation onset; we previously showed how this can arise through activity-instructed development. Now we show that this initial correlation between the two eyes' maps can persist or increase despite deprivation sufficient to cause massive loss of the deprived eye's geniculocortical synaptic strength, followed by reverse suture. Given sufficient early correlated map development, each map's fate is “dynamically committed”: the two eyes' maps will converge upon a common outcome, even if developing independently. This dynamic fate commitment is retained even after severe deprivation.

Ascorbate modulates IK(V) of ON-type mixed rod/cone bipolar cells (Mb) in the goldfish retinal slice through a dopamine D1/G-protein/PKA-coupled mechanism. We investigated the effects of dopamine depletion with intraocular injections of 6-OHDA on IK(V) and its modulation by ascorbate over 1–7 weeks following 6-OHDA treatment. Dopamine depletion was verified by tyrosine hydroxylase immunocytochemistry. Slices were perfused in a saline containing 200 μM sodium ascorbate. One-second puffs of ascorbate-free saline (zero [AA]o), delivered through a 2–3 μm diameter pipette, were directed at the bipolar cells. IK(V) was recorded by conventional whole-cell patch-clamp methods. In normal retinas, puffs of zero [AA]o caused a rapid (<100 ms) suppression of IK(V) of about 50% that lasted for several minutes. This effect was blocked by 1 μM SCH23390 and was unaffected by 2 mM Co2+ or 5 μM spiperone. 6-OHDA treatment resulted in major effects. First, IK(V) was reduced by ∼50% for weeks 1–6, recovering to a 20% reduction by week 7. Second, puffs of zero [AA]o enhanced IK(V) rather than suppressed it. The enhancement was blocked by SCH23390 and the PKA inhibitor, Wiptide, but was insensitive to spiperone. Third, all parts of the Mb bipolar cell (except for the axon) were sensitive to puffs of zero [AA]o in both normal and 6-OHDA-treated retinas. Fourth, bath application of 20 μM dopamine restored the amplitude of IK(V) but did not reverse the effects of puffed zero [AA]o. IK(V) was fit by two exponentials; all of the effects on IK(V) were on the amplitude of the components and not on the time constants. Chronic dopamine depletion caused reversible changes in the properties of K+ channels underlying IK(V), as well as a long-term change in the intracellular coupling mechanisms between D1-receptor activation and the modulation of IK(V).

Mechanisms that mediate the calcium influx in mammalian horizontal cells were studied. Horizontal cells (HCs) enzymatically dissociated from the rabbit retina were recorded by the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique and by calcium image ratioespectrophotometry of Fura-2 loaded cells. AMPA-preferring glutamate receptors were shown to permeate Ca2+ in mammalian HCs by ionic substitution experiments. Furthermore, after blocking the L-type calcium current with nifedipine (100 μM), calcium current through the AMPA-preferring glutamate receptors was measured. Calcium image ratioespectrophotometry was performed on the dissociated HCs in order to determine the changes in the intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). Fura-2 microspectrophotometry showed that in HCs, K+-induced cell depolarization promoted an increase in [Ca2+]i, mediated by the L-type calcium channels, since it was abolished in the presence of nifedipine. The increase in [Ca2+]i upon cell depolarization was observed throughout each cell; however, it was maximal at the cell soma. Activation of glutamate receptors in dissociated HCs by glutamate, AMPA or kainate promoted an increase in [Ca2+]i. This increase in [Ca2+]i was abolished in nominally Ca2+-free solution (0 mM Ca2+); in contrast, nifedipine decreased the glutamate-induced influx of calcium in ca. 50%. The present study demonstrates that calcium may permeate through glutamate receptors expressed in HCs of the rabbit retina.

We investigated the photocurrents from isolated rods of the South American anuran, Caudiverbera caudiverbera. Rod outer segments were on average 66.4 ± 11.2 μm (mean ± S.D., n = 104) in length and 6.6 ± 0.9 μm (mean ± S.D.) in diameter; 40 ± 22 photoisomerizations (mean ± S.D., range 10–99, n = 16) were required for eliciting a half-saturating photocurrent response. The time-to-peak was 911 ± 217 ms (mean ± S.D., n = 14, 20°C) in the linear range of the response and the integration time of the current response was 1744 ± 451 ms (mean ± S.D., n = 14). The time-to-peak appears to be slower and the integration time shorter in Caudiverbera than in Ambystoma tigrinum, Rana pipiens or Xenopus laevis rods under similar experimental conditions. The α-band of rod spectral sensitivity has a λmax at 520 ± 2.1 nm (mean ± S.D., range 516–525 nm, n = 24) and the bandwidth fits a porphyropsin visual pigment. The single-event response amplitude ranges from 0.31–0.51 pA, depending on the calculation method. The intrinsic dark current (variance at dark minus variance under bright light) was 0.045 ± 0.040 pA2 (mean ± S.D., n = 24). Our results support the presence of a dark-noise component below 1 Hz, with kinetics similar to the single-photon evoked response and a rate of 0.006 events s−1 (n = 9).

Lateral voltage spread in electrically coupled retinal horizontal cell networks is the substrate of center-surround antagonism in bipolar and ganglion cells. We studied its spatial and temporal properties in more detail in turtle L1 horizontal cells by using a contrast border as light stimulus. Experimental data were contrasted with expectations from a linear continuum model to specify the impact of nonlinearities. The assumptions for the diffusion term of the continuum model were justified by neurobiotin labeling. Measured voltage spread revealed two different length constants Λ+ and Λ0, under illuminated and nonilluminated regions of the retina, respectively, as predicted by the linear model. Length constants in the illuminated region showed strong temporal dynamics. For the initial phase of the horizontal cell responses Λ+ was larger than Λo. This was also in accordance with the model. Right at the peak of the response, however, Λ+ dropped below Λo and did not change any more. It is this temporal reversal of asymmetry in voltage spread and not the decrease of Λ+ itself that is lacked by the linear model. The observed independence of the mean ratio Λ+/Λo from light intensity in both the peak and the plateau phases of horizontal cell responses contradicts the linear assumption, too. These two effects have to be addressed to local nonlinearities in the horizontal cell network like a negative feedback loop from photoreceptors and/or voltage-dependent conductances. Due to the failure of the linear model, firm conclusions about the membrane resistance and the coupling resistance of the horizontal cell network cannot be drawn from length constant measurements.

In the probed-sinewave paradigm—used to study the dynamics of light adaptation—a small probe of light is superimposed on a sinusoidally flickering background. Detection threshold for the probe is measured at various times with respect to the flickering background. Here we present such stimuli using three methods: monoptic (the probe and the flickering background are presented to the same eye), dichoptic (the probe is presented to one eye and the flickering background is presented to the other eye), and binocular (the probe and the flickering background are both presented to both eyes). The results suggest that the processing associated with detecting the probe is primarily in the retina (or any place with monocular input). However, the results also suggest a slight amount of processing in the cortex (or any place with binocular input), particularly at the higher frequency of flickering background used here (9.4 Hz vs. 1.2 Hz). A simple schematic model with three ocular-dominance channels is consistent with the results.