Single retinal changing contrast (third) detector elicits NMDA receptor response and higher activity level of frog tectum neuron network

Exp Brain Res. 2007 May;179(2):209-17. doi: 10.1007/s00221-006-0786-y. Epub 2006 Nov 30.

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore whether a discharge of a certain type of frog retinal ganglion cell [likely changing contrast (third) detector] can evoke NMDA response in frog tectum neurons and higher level of activity of tectal neuron network. Discharge of a single retinal ganglion cell was elicited by electrical stimulation of the retina. Evoked electrical activity of the tectum was recorded by the carbon-fiber microelectrode brought into the optic fiber layer F. We show that: (1) strong discharge of a frog individual retinal ganglion cell (third detector) has evoked NMDA response of tectal neurons and higher level of tectal neuron network activity characterized by prominent suprathreshold excitation of efferent neurons. Consequently, the firing of only one retinal ganglion cell (third detector) could lead to the activation of the tectobulbospinal tract and motor reaction. (2) The excitation of a retinotectal fiber of the first kind (axon of third detector) gave rise to the same effects as activation of a retinotectal fiber of the second kind (axon of fifth detector): the suprathreshold excitation of recurrent and efferent tectal neurons, the slow depolarizing potential (seen as the sNW), and the NMDA receptor activation were observed. However, stronger excitation (longer bursts of action potentials) was needed to evoke those effects in the considered case of the retinotectal input of the first kind. This difference could be attributed to the lower quantal size of neurotransmitter release in synapses of the retinotectal input of the first than second kind.

MeSH terms

  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / pharmacology
  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Animals
  • Axons / drug effects
  • Axons / physiology
  • Contrast Sensitivity / drug effects
  • Contrast Sensitivity / physiology*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Nerve Fibers / drug effects
  • Nerve Fibers / physiology
  • Nerve Net / drug effects
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Rana temporaria
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology*
  • Recruitment, Neurophysiological / drug effects
  • Recruitment, Neurophysiological / physiology
  • Retina / physiology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology
  • Sensory Thresholds / drug effects
  • Sensory Thresholds / physiology
  • Superior Colliculi / physiology*
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • 2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate