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Comparative Anatomy and Function of Mammalian Horizontal Cells

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Development and Organization of the Retina

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 299))

Abstract

Near the end of his life Ramón y Cajal (1933) summarized aspects of his view of the retina and, under the section heading “The paradox of vertebrate retinal horizontal cells” admitted defeat in understanding their role in visual processing. By then, horizontal cells had been identified and studied anatomically for more than six decades; today, six decades later, they are still amongst the most enigmatic neurons (historical reviews, e.g., Wässle et al., 1978a; Gallego, 1986; Piccolino, 1986, 1988). Numerous studies, using an ever-increasing arsenal of methods, have modified some of Cajal’s observations and added many new ones. For technical reasons, there has been a concentration on horizontal cell physiology and cellular biology in non-mammalian vertebrate retinae (reviewed in Dowling, 1987; Djamgoz et al., 1995; Kamermans & Spekreijse, 1995), and the results have been generalized to deduce mammalian horizontal cell function. Most recently, however, an increasing number of studies are examining mammalian horizontal cells with physiological and immunocytochemical approaches; and comparative anatomical studies are demonstrating previously unsuspected differences between species. More specific questions can now be asked although, as yet, answers are still scant. This review summarizes some earlier views of mammalian horizontal cell morphology and connectivity, then focuses on how some of the newer findings have modified the issues, and tries to suggest where answers may be sought.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstr. 46, D-60528, Frankfurt a. M., Germany

    Leo Peichl & Daniele Sandmann

  2. Department of Visual Science, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC 1V 9EL, UK

    Brian B. Boycott

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  1. Leo Peichl
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  2. Daniele Sandmann
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  3. Brian B. Boycott
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of California at Davis, Davis, California, USA

    Leo M. Chalupa

  2. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Barbara L. Finlay

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Peichl, L., Sandmann, D., Boycott, B.B. (1998). Comparative Anatomy and Function of Mammalian Horizontal Cells. In: Chalupa, L.M., Finlay, B.L. (eds) Development and Organization of the Retina. NATO ASI Series, vol 299. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5333-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5333-5_9

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