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Abnormal development of retinogeniculate X axons in strabismic cats: a possible substrate for visual dysfunction
P E Garraghty1, A W Roe, Y M Chino
1Department of Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405.
Neuroscience Letters
|January 3, 1994
Summary
Surgically induced esotropia in cats causes visual system abnormalities. Researchers found that X axon terminations in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) showed altered morphology, potentially disrupting signal transfer.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Visual System Development
Background:
- Surgically induced esotropia in cats leads to visual system abnormalities.
- Previous studies noted disruptions in signal transfer in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of esotropic cats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological changes in individual retinogeniculate X axons in esotropic cats.
- To correlate these morphological changes with observed functional deficits in the visual system.
Main Methods:
- Intracellular recording and staining techniques were employed to study X axons.
- Serial reconstruction of stained axonal arbors allowed for detailed morphological analysis.
Main Results:
- Some X axon terminations in the A-laminae of the LGN exhibited larger volumes and reduced bouton densities compared to normal.
- These morphological alterations were observed in axons originating from both the deviated and non-deviated eyes.
Conclusions:
- The study identified specific structural abnormalities in X axons within the LGN of esotropic cats.
- These morphological changes may underlie the previously reported disruptions in signal transfer within the LGN of these animals.
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