TTX attenuates surround inhibition in rabbit retinal ganglion cells

W. Rowland Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

Patch-clamp recordings were made from ganglion cells in an in vitro dark-adapted rabbit retina preparation. Cells were stimulated by images generated on a computer monitor and focussed onto the photoreceptors. Excitatory inward currents were recorded in response to spot stimuli centered on the somas of the recorded cells. Center illumination of on-brisk-transient cells produced large transient excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) which were invariably followed by a small steady-state inward component. Illumination of a centered annulus failed to elicit the transient EPSC. Simultaneous illumination of the annulus and the center spot blocked the large transient EPSC, consistent with activation of an inhibitory surround. Application of tetrodotoxin (TTX), which blocks sodium-dependent action potentials, also blocked the surround inhibition in ON-brisk transient cells as well as some other classes of ganglion cells. It is concluded that, in some ganglion cell classes, the surround is generated largely through the activity of spiking neurons, and it is suggested that the amacrine cells in the inner plexiform layer are involved.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)285-290
Number of pages6
JournalVisual neuroscience
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Center-surround
  • Electrophysiology
  • Light-responses
  • Rabbit retina
  • Recepti ve-field properties
  • Tetrodotoxin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Sensory Systems

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