• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.163-174
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• 1993

Vertebrate retinal neurons, like brain tracts farm complex synaptic relations in the enter and inner plexiform layers which ape equivalent to the central nervous system nuclei. The effects of $\gamma-aminobutyric$ acid(GABA) and glycine on retinal neurons were explored to discern the mechanisms of action of neurotransmitters. Experiments were performed in the superfused retina-eyecup preparation of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, using intracellular electrophysiological techniques. The roles of GABA and glycine as inhibitory neurotransmitters are well established in the vertebrate retina. But, we found that the depolarizing action of GABA and glycine on third-order neurons in the catfish retina. GABA and glycine appeared to act on retinal ueurons based on the observations that (1) effects on photoreceptors were not observed, (2) horizontal cells were either hyperpolarized $({\sim}33%)$ or depolarized $({\sim}67%)$, (3) bipolar cells were all hyperpolarized (4) amacrine and ganglion cells were either hyperpolarized $({\sim}37%)$ or depolarized $({\sim}63%)$, (5) GABA and glycine may be working to suppress presynaptic inhibition. The results suggest that depolarization of third-order neurons by GABA and glycine is due to at least two mechanisms; a direct postsynaptic effect and an indirect effect. Therefore, in the catfish retina, a mechanism of presynaptic inhibition or disinhibition including the direct postsynaptic effect may exist in the third-order neurons.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 1998

The dynamic properties of the 3rd-order neuron of the retina was investigated by using conventional intracellular recording techniques. Experiments were performed in the superfused retina-eyecup preparation of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. The cornea, iris, lens, and vitreous were removed by absorption with Kimwipe tissue under the dissection microscope thereby exposing the retina in a hemi -eyecup. The electrical signal was amplified by electrometer, viewed on oscilloscope. Regular signals from the cells were recorded on a penwriter and stored by data recorder and computer. Full-field, spot or annular light stimuli were generated on a computer monitor and focused onto the retina. Baclofen hyperpolarized the dark membrane potential, suppressed sustained component and enhanced transient component of the ON-sustained cell with a large transient component, but did not affect the surround antagonism of the cell. Baclofen selectively suppressed responses evoked by moving bar light stimuli on the ON-OFF transient cell. The results suggest that transient cells have directional selectivity in the inner retina. These dynamic properties of amacrine and ganglion cells were modulated by baclofen. Therefore, it is presumed that there is baclofen-induced directional selectivity in ON-OFF transient cells in the catfish retina.