Cone inputs to ganglion cells in hereditary retinal degeneration

The photoreceptor layer degenerated, but cone nuclei apparently devoid of outer segments were retained in retinas of aged rats of the Royal College of Surgeons strain from which optic tract activity was recorded. Measures of sensitivity showed these single axons of retinal ganglion cells to have photopic spectral responses. Cone remnants containing a cone pigment may be the photoreceptive elements in these retinas.