Document Detail


Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20959623     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Life on earth is subject to alternating cycles of day and night imposed by the rotation of the earth. Consequently, living things have evolved photodetective systems to synchronize their physiology and behavior with the external light-dark cycle. This form of photodetection is unlike the familiar "image vision," in that the basic information is light or darkness over time, independent of spatial patterns. "Nonimage" vision is probably far more ancient than image vision and is widespread in living species. For mammals, it has long been assumed that the photoreceptors for nonimage vision are also the textbook rods and cones. However, recent years have witnessed the discovery of a small population of retinal ganglion cells in the mammalian eye that express a unique visual pigment called melanopsin. These ganglion cells are intrinsically photosensitive and drive a variety of nonimage visual functions. In addition to being photoreceptors themselves, they also constitute the major conduit for rod and cone signals to the brain for nonimage visual functions such as circadian photoentrainment and the pupillary light reflex. Here we review what is known about these novel mammalian photoreceptors.
Authors:
Michael Tri Hoang Do; King-Wai Yau
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Physiological reviews     Volume:  90     ISSN:  1522-1210     ISO Abbreviation:  Physiol. Rev.     Publication Date:  2010 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-10-20     Completed Date:  2010-11-12     Revised Date:  2011-05-05    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0231714     Medline TA:  Physiol Rev     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1547-81     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience and Center for Sensory Biology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Brain / physiology
Humans
Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / physiology
Retinal Ganglion Cells / cytology,  physiology*
Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / physiology
Sleep
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
EY-14596/EY/NEI NIH HHS; R01 EY014596-09/EY/NEI NIH HHS

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