Amacrine cells in scotopic vision

Signals from rod bipolar cells of cat retina are processed by a variety of rod amacrine cells before finally arriving at ganglion cells. Three of these rod amacrine cells (AII, A13, and A17 ) have been studied at the physiological and anatomical levels; the results suggest that each carries out a unique visual function: AII cells appear to quicken the response time of the rod system in the mid-scotopic range, while A17 cells may increase the light-gathering area of rod bipolars near visual threshold. Stimulation of A13 cells may disinhibit ganglion cells, thus heightening their responsiveness at low levels of illumination.