Neural computations in the tiger salamander and mudpuppy outer retinae and an analysis of GABA action from horizontal cells

 A neural network architecture based on the neural anatomy and function of retinal neurons in tiger salamander and mudpuppy retinae is proposed to study basic aspects of early visual information processing. The model predictions for the main response characteristics of retinal neurons are found to be in agreement with neurophysiological data, including the antagonistic role of horizontal cells in the outer plexiform layer. The examination of possible γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) action from horizontal cells suggests that GABA_A alone, GABA_B alone, or their weighted combination can generate the response characteristics observed in bipolar cells.

Authors and Affiliations

1. School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada, , , , , , CA

   Simon X. Yang

2. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Center for Neuro-Engineering and Cognitive Science, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-4005, USA, , , , , , US

   Haluk Öğmen

3. Department of Neurosciences, La Jolla Research Institute, San Diego, CA 92130, USA, , , , , , US

   Greg Maguire

Received: 25 June 2002 / Accepted: 28 January 2003 / Published online: 20 May 2003

Acknowledgements. The authors would like to thank an anonymous reviewer for valuable comments.

Correspondence to: S. X. Yang (e-mail: syang@uoguelph.ca)

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