Two pharmacologically and physiologically distinct lateral inhibitory networks in the inner retina contribute to the receptive field surround of ganglion cells and can be identified with stimuli that are stationary or moving. Sustained lateral inhibition (SLI), which is elicited by steady illumination, is responsible for the spatial tuning of ON ganglion cells. It is not known if this inner retinal pathway also alters the sensitivity of ganglion cell or to what extent it is modulated during changes in adaptational state. Transient lateral inhibition (TLI), which is activated at the onset and offset of illumination, becomes sustained when illumination is continuously changing either intensity or location. TLI is weak or disabled in the dark-adapted retina, and is potentiated over several minutes during light adaptation. Neither the site of modulation nor the modulator underlying this slow potentiation is known. The proposed research will examine novel aspects of the cellular mechanisms creating these two forms of lateral inhibition in the inner retina and will improve our understanding of how these systems are modulated during changes in the retinal state of adaptation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY013400-02
Application #
6518716
Study Section
Visual Sciences C Study Section (VISC)
Program Officer
Hunter, Chyren
Project Start
2001-05-01
Project End
2004-04-30
Budget Start
2002-05-01
Budget End
2003-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$285,250
Indirect Cost
Name
Boston University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
042250712
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215