| Direction selectivity in a model of the starburst amacrine cell. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 15579224 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The starburst amacrine cell (SBAC), found in all mammalian retinas, is thought to provide the directional inhibitory input recorded in On-Off direction-selective ganglion cells (DSGCs). While voltage recordings from the somas of SBACs have not shown robust direction selectivity (DS), the dendritic tips of these cells display direction-selective calcium signals, even when gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAa,c) channels are blocked, implying that inhibition is not necessary to generate DS. This suggested that the distinctive morphology of the SBAC could generate a DS signal at the dendritic tips, where most of its synaptic output is located. To explore this possibility, we constructed a compartmental model incorporating realistic morphological structure, passive membrane properties, and excitatory inputs. We found robust DS at the dendritic tips but not at the soma. Two-spot apparent motion and annulus radial motion produced weak DS, but thin bars produced robust DS. For these stimuli, DS was caused by the interaction of a local synaptic input signal with a temporally delayed "global" signal, that is, an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) that spread from the activated inputs into the soma and throughout the dendritic tree. In the preferred direction the signals in the dendritic tips coincided, allowing summation, whereas in the null direction the local signal preceded the global signal, preventing summation. Sine-wave grating stimuli produced the greatest amount of DS, especially at high velocities and low spatial frequencies. The sine-wave DS responses could be accounted for by a simple mathematical model, which summed phase-shifted signals from soma and dendritic tip. By testing different artificial morphologies, we discovered DS was relatively independent of the morphological details, but depended on having a sufficient number of inputs at the distal tips and a limited electrotonic isolation. Adding voltage-gated calcium channels to the model showed that their threshold effect can amplify DS in the intracellular calcium signal. |
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Authors:
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John J Tukker; W Rowland Taylor; Robert G Smith |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Visual neuroscience Volume: 21 ISSN: 0952-5238 ISO Abbreviation: Vis. Neurosci. Publication Date: 2004 Jul-Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2004-12-06 Completed Date: 2005-02-28 Revised Date: 2007-11-14 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8809466 Medline TA: Vis Neurosci Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 611-25 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6058, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Amacrine Cells
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metabolism,
physiology*,
ultrastructure Animals Calcium / metabolism Calcium Channels, Q-Type / metabolism, physiology Computer Simulation Dendrites / metabolism, physiology Electric Impedance Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials Humans Models, Biological* Photic Stimulation / methods |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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EY014888/EY/NEI NIH HHS; MH48168/MH/NIMH NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Calcium Channels, Q-Type; 7440-70-2/Calcium |
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