Functional and genomic changes in the mouse ocular motor system in response to light deprivation from birth.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have suggested that abnormal visual experience early in life induces ocular motor abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to determine how visual deprivation alters the function and gene expression profile of the ocular motor system in mice. We measured the effect of dark rearing on eye movements, gene expression in the oculomotor nucleus, and contractility of isolated extraocular muscles. In vivo eye movement recordings showed decreased gains for optokinetic and vestibulo-ocular reflexes, confirming an effect of dark rearing on overall ocular motor function. Saccade peak velocities were preserved, however, arguing that the quantitative changes in these reflexes were not secondary to limitations in force generation. Using microarrays and quantitative PCR, we found tha

SUBMITTER: McMullen CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6729561 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature