Aberrant activity in retinal degeneration impairs central visual processing and relies on Cx36-containing gap junctions.

ABSTRACT: In retinal degenerative disease (RD), the diminished light signal from dying photoreceptors has been considered the sole cause of visual impairment. Recent studies show a 10-fold increase in spontaneous activity in the RD network, challenging this paradigm. This aberrant activity forms a new barrier for the light signal, and not only exacerbates the loss of vision, but also may stand in the way of visual restoration. This activity originates in AII amacrine cells and relies on excessive activation of gap junctions. However, it remains unclear whether aberrant activity affects central visual processing and what mechanisms lead to this excessive activation of gap junctions. By combining genetic manipulation with electrophysiological recordings of light-induced activity in both living mice an

SUBMITTER: Ivanova E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4655183 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature