Neurobiology and Clinical Aspects of the Outer Retina, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1995

This book deals with the cellular biology, biochemistry and physiology of photoreceptors and their interactions with the second-order neurons, bipolar and horizontal cells. The focus is upon the contributions made by these neurons to vision. Thus the basic neurobiology of the outer retina is related to the visual process, and visual defects that could arise from abnormalities in this part of the retina are highlighted in the first 16 chapters. Since all vertebrate retinas have the same basic structure and physiological plan, examples are given from a variety of species, with an emphasis upon mammals, extending to human vision. The last four chapters approach the problem from the other end. This part of the book covers a range of clinical conditions involving visual abnormalities that are due to cellular defects in the outer retina. Although the contents of this book do not represent the proceedings of a conference, the concept arose at an international symposium on 'Recent Advances in Retinal Research' which was held at the International Marine Centre in Oristano, Sardinia. We hope that the book will give a coherent, up to date review of the neurobiology and clinical aspects of the outer retina and encourage further integration of these areas. Retinal neurobiology has been an intense field of investigation for several decades. More recently, it has seen significant advances with the application of modern techniques of cell and molecular biology.

1. Development and morphological organization of photoreceptors.- 2. Cell biology and metabolic activity of photoreceptor cells: light-evoked and circadian regulation.- 3. Determinants of visual pigment spectral location and photoreceptor cell spectral sensitivity.- 4. Molecular biology of visual pigments.- 5. Phototransduction, excitation and adaptation.- 6. Photoreceptor synaptic output: neurotransmitter release and photoreceptor coupling.- 7. Photoreceptor—horizontal cell connectivity, synaptic transmission and neuromodulation.- 8. Horizontal cell coupling and its regulation.- 9. Cross-talk between cones and horizontal cells through the feedback circuit.- 10. Neurotransmitter release from horizontal cells.- 11. The organization of photoreceptor to bipolar synapses in the outer plexiform layer.- 12. Photoreceptor—bipolar cell transmission.- 13. Functional architecture of mammalian outer retina and bipolar cells.- 14. Neurotransmitter release from bipolar cells.- 15. Interplexiform cell connectivity in the outer retina.- 16. The involvement of Müller cells in the outer retina.- 17. Clinical aspects: outer retinal dystrophies.- 18. Clinical aspects: retinitis pigmentosa.- 19. Clinical aspects: paraneoplastic retinopathy.- 20. Clinical aspects: Parkinson’s disease.