We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells in primate retina signal colour and irradiance and project to the LGN.
- Authors
Dacey, Dennis M; Liao, Hsi-Wen; Peterson, Beth B; Robinson, Farrel R; Smith, Vivianne C; Pokorny, Joel; Yau, King-Wai; Gamlin, Paul D
- Abstract
Human vision starts with the activation of rod photoreceptors in dim light and short (S)-, medium (M)-, and long (L)- wavelength-sensitive cone photoreceptors in daylight. Recently a parallel, non-rod, non-cone photoreceptive pathway, arising from a population of retinal ganglion cells, was discovered in nocturnal rodents. These ganglion cells express the putative photopigment melanopsin and by signalling gross changes in light intensity serve the subconscious, 'non-image-forming' functions of circadian photoentrainment and pupil constriction. Here we show an anatomically distinct population of 'giant', melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells in the primate retina that, in addition to being intrinsically photosensitive, are strongly activated by rods and cones, and display a rare, S-Off, (L + M)-On type of colour-opponent receptive field. The intrinsic, rod and (L + M) cone-derived light responses combine in these giant cells to signal irradiance over the full dynamic range of human vision. In accordance with cone-based colour opponency, the giant cells project to the lateral geniculate nucleus, the thalamic relay to primary visual cortex. Thus, in the diurnal trichromatic primate, 'non-image-forming' and conventional 'image-forming' retinal pathways are merged, and the melanopsin-based signal might contribute to conscious visual perception.
- Publication
Nature, 2005, Vol 433, Issue 7027, p749
- ISSN
1476-4687
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/nature03387