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Retinal waves coordinate patterned activity throughout the developing visual system

Author

Listed:
  • James B. Ackman

    (Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA)

  • Timothy J. Burbridge

    (Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA)

  • Michael C. Crair

    (Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA)

Abstract

The morphological and functional development of the vertebrate nervous system is initially governed by genetic factors and subsequently refined by neuronal activity. However, fundamental features of the nervous system emerge before sensory experience is possible. Thus, activity-dependent development occurring before the onset of experience must be driven by spontaneous activity, but the origin and nature of activity in vivo remains largely untested. Here we use optical methods to show in live neonatal mice that waves of spontaneous retinal activity are present and propagate throughout the entire visual system before eye opening. This patterned activity encompassed the visual field, relied on cholinergic neurotransmission, preferentially initiated in the binocular retina and exhibited spatiotemporal correlations between the two hemispheres. Retinal waves were the primary source of activity in the midbrain and primary visual cortex, but only modulated ongoing activity in secondary visual areas. Thus, spontaneous retinal activity is transmitted through the entire visual system and carries patterned information capable of guiding the activity-dependent development of complex intra- and inter-hemispheric circuits before the onset of vision.

Suggested Citation

  • James B. Ackman & Timothy J. Burbridge & Michael C. Crair, 2012. "Retinal waves coordinate patterned activity throughout the developing visual system," Nature, Nature, vol. 490(7419), pages 219-225, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:490:y:2012:i:7419:d:10.1038_nature11529
    DOI: 10.1038/nature11529
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    Cited by:

    1. Chao Chen & Linlin Sun & Avital Adler & Hang Zhou & Licheng Zhang & Lihai Zhang & Junhao Deng & Yang Bai & Jinhui Zhang & Guang Yang & Wen-Biao Gan & Peifu Tang, 2023. "Synchronized activity of sensory neurons initiates cortical synchrony in a model of neuropathic pain," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Yajie Liang & Rongwen Lu & Katharine Borges & Na Ji, 2023. "Stimulus edges induce orientation tuning in superior colliculus," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Shachar Sherman & Irene Arnold-Ammer & Martin W. Schneider & Koichi Kawakami & Herwig Baier, 2023. "Retina-derived signals control pace of neurogenesis in visual brain areas but not circuit assembly," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.

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