Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Eyeball

Anatomy of the Eyeball

The eye is a spherical, hollow structure composed of three tissue layers. The outer layer — the fibrous tunic, comprises the sclera — a white structure — and the cornea, which is transparent. The sclera encompasses some of the ocular surface, most of which is not visible. However, the 'white of the eye' is distinctively visible in humans compared to other species. The cornea, a clear covering at the front of the eye, enables light penetration. The eye's middle layer, the vascular tunic,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Light sensitivity in a vertebrate mechanoreceptor?

The Journal of experimental biology·2015

Same author

Circadian rhythms in Mexican blind cavefish Astyanax mexicanus in the lab and in the field.

Nature communications·2013

Same author

Survival of Dopaminergic Amacrine Cells after Near-Infrared Light Treatment in MPTP-Treated Mice.

ISRN neurology·2012

Same author

Patterns of Cell Activity in the Subthalamic Region Associated with the Neuroprotective Action of Near-Infrared Light Treatment in MPTP-Treated Mice.

Parkinson's disease·2012

Same author

Photobiomodulation enhances nigral dopaminergic cell survival in a chronic MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinsonism & related disorders·2012

Same author

Neuroprotection of midbrain dopaminergic cells in MPTP-treated mice after near-infrared light treatment.

The Journal of comparative neurology·2009

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Measuring Connectivity in the Primary Visual Pathway in Human Albinism Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Tractography

Measuring Connectivity in the Primary Visual Pathway in Human Albinism Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Tractography

Published on: August 11, 2016

Abnormal axons in the albino optic tract.

Christophe Guibal¹, Gary E Baker

¹Centre for Cell and Molecular Dynamics, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

|July 25, 2009

Summary

Albino ferrets exhibit abnormal optic tract organization, with large axons misplaced and exhibiting unusual myelination. This suggests developmental timing differences in retinal ganglion cell axon outgrowth contribute to visual system abnormalities in albinism.

More Related Videos

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 12, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Measuring Connectivity in the Primary Visual Pathway in Human Albinism Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Tractography

Measuring Connectivity in the Primary Visual Pathway in Human Albinism Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Tractography

Published on: August 11, 2016

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 12, 2011

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Ophthalmology

Background:

Albinism is associated with visual system abnormalities, including optic chiasm misrouting.
The organization of axons in the optic tract correlates with retinal ganglion cell genesis and axon outgrowth timing.
Abnormal axon ratios in albinos may stem from altered developmental timing.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate optic tract axon order in albino and normally pigmented ferrets.
To determine if albinos display abnormal retinal ganglion cell genesis and axon outgrowth patterns.
To correlate axon distribution and morphology with albinism-related visual deficits.

Main Methods:

Light and electron microscopy were employed.
Axon diameters and myelin thickness in the optic tracts of adult ferrets were analyzed.
Comparison between albino and pigmented ferret optic tracts was performed.

Main Results:

In albinos, large-diameter axons were found throughout the optic tract, unlike the superficial confinement in pigmented ferrets.
Abnormal axon diameter to myelin thickness ratios were observed in albino ferrets.
Large axons in albinos were poorly myelinated, while small axons had abnormally thick myelin sheaths.

Conclusions:

Albino ferrets possess abnormal optic tract axon distribution and morphology.
These morphological abnormalities may account for the aberrant crossing of axons seen in albinism.
The findings highlight developmental timing as a key factor in albinism-related visual system organization.