Neurons ganglion cells

In the primitive nervous system, sensory cells evolved from general epithelial cells. Primitive nervous systems of modern echinoderms and lower deuterostomes are still composed of three cell types that include the primary sensory cells, the neurons that connect the sensory cells to distal targets, and a supporting cell that serves the special physiological needs of such a system (Lacalli, 2001). The basic structural plan of the retina is comparable to such a primitive nervous system. In the course of evolution, the photoreceptive system developed specialized photoreceptor cells (rods and cones), intra-retinal second-order neurons (bipolar cells), and tertiary output neurons (ganglion cells). This evolution perhaps took place in photopic conditions therefore early photoreceptor cells were more like cones. 

As discussed, the first-order neuron is the afferent neuron that transmits impulses from a peripheral receptor toward the CNS. Its cell body is located in the dorsal root ganglion. This neuron synapses with the second-order neuron whose cell body is located in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord or in the medulla of the brainstem. The second-order neuron travels upward and synapses with the third-order neuron, whose cell body is located in the thalamus. Limited processing of sensory information takes place in the thalamus. Finally, the third-order neuron travels upward and terminates in the somatosensory cortex where more complex, cortical processing begins. 

A1 adenosine receptors are inhibitory in the central nervous system. A receptors were originally characterized on the basis of their ability to inhibit adenylyl cyclase in adipose tissue. A number of other G-protein-mediated effectors of A receptors have subsequently been discovered these include activation of K+ channels, extensively characterized in striatal neurons [13], and inhibition of Ca2+ channels, extensively characterized in dorsal root ganglion cells [14]. Activation of A receptors has been shown to produce a species-dependent stimulation or inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol pathway in cerebral cortex. In other tissues, activation of A receptors results in synergistic activation of the phosphatidylinositol pathway in concert with Ca2+-mobilizing hormones or neurotransmitters [15]. The effectors of A adenosine receptors and other purinergic receptor subtypes are summarized in Table 17-2. 

Neurotrophin 4/5 is not as well characterized as other members of the neurotrophin family. Much of what is known is derived from analysis of NT4/5 and TrkB knockout mice. Elucidating the actions of NT4/5 is complicated by virtue of the fact that both NT4/5 and BDNF exert their effects via the TrkB receptor. It appears that NT4/5 functions largely overlap with those of other neurotrophin family members, particularly BDNF. NT4/5 knockout mice are essentially normal, in contrast to BDNF knockout mice, which do not live long. NT4/5 is likely to have unique actions on a subpopulation of neurons in the nodose and geniculate ganglia, which are not supported by BDNF. Like BDNF, NT4/5 acts on sensory neurons and retinal ganglion cells, supporting their survival. 

Neuregulins are highly expressed in the nervous system by neuroblasts, cortical neurons, peripheral sensory ganglionic cells and spinal motor neurons as well as myelinforming glia. 

The Na" channel has a receptor site for cyclic GMP when cyclic GMP is bound, the channel is closed. This leads to a decrease in the intracellular Na ion concentration, resulting in hyperpolarisation of the cell membrane. This decreases the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate into the synapse that connects the photoreceptor cell to the bipolar neurones. In this specific case, a decrease in the neurotransmitter concentration in the synapse is a signal that results in depolarisation of the bipolar cell. The action potential in the bipolar cells communicate with ganglion cells, the axons of which form the optic nerve. Thus action potentials are generated in the axons which are... 

Studies (mainly in vitro) illustrate that BDNF promotes the survival of embryonic retina ganglion cells, dopaminergic neurons, as well as cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain, embryonic spinal motor neurons and cortical neurons. 

Foster This would be tricky with a normal mammalian retina because of the presence of the rods and cones, although possible on a rodless+coneless mouse retina. In David Person s studies he identified the ganglion cells projecting to the SCN using dye injections into the SCN that retrolabelled the ganglion cells of the retina. He then recorded from these identified cells. But of course there may be more than one population of intrinsically photosensitive inner retinal neuron. 

Anatomical differences between the peripheral somatic and autonomic nervous systems have led to their classification as separate divisions of the nervous system. These differences are shown in Figure 9.1. The axon of a somatic motor neuron leaves the CNS and travels without interruption to the innervated effector cell. In contrast, two neurons are required to connect the CNS and a visceral effector cell of the autonomic nervous system. The first neuron in this sequence is called the preganglionic neuron. The second neuron, whose cell body is within the ganglion, travels to the visceral effector cell it is called the postganglionic neuron. 

McFarlane, S., Cornel, E., Amaya, E., and Holt, C.E. (1996) Inhibition of FGF receptor activity in retinal ganglion cell axons causes errors in target recognition. Neuron 17 245-254. 

Acetylcholine (ACh) The primary transmitter at ANS ganglia, at the somatic neuromuscular junction, and at parasympathetic postganglionic nerve endings. A primary excitatory transmitter to smooth muscle and secretory cells in the ENS. Probably also the major neuron-to-neuron ("ganglionic") transmitter in the ENS. 

The retina extends forward to the sclera as a globe-shaped wineglass almost external to the skull. That part of the sclera devoid of retina is the pars planar, which is used as an access point for injection or for close delivery to the iris and ciliary body (ICB). When stripped from its basement membrane and opened out, the collapsed retina is a circular disk approximately 42 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm in thickness. The organization of the retina is based on a three-neuron chain (photoreceptor cell-bipolar cell-ganglion cell) and accompanying cells (horizontal, amacrine, and Muller cells)... 

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