Starburst amacrine cell: Difference between revisions

Starburst amacrine cell
General Information
Latin
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System
Artery
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

Latest revision as of 21:46, 29 December 2024

The starburst amacrine cell is a type of amacrine cell found in the retina of the eye. These cells are crucial for the processing of visual information, particularly in the detection of motion and direction selectivity.

Structure[edit]

Starburst amacrine cells are characterized by their unique dendritic arborization, which resembles a starburst pattern. This distinctive structure allows them to interact with multiple bipolar cells and ganglion cells, facilitating complex synaptic connections.

Function[edit]

The primary function of starburst amacrine cells is to contribute to the direction selectivity of retinal ganglion cells. They release the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and GABA, which play a role in modulating the activity of neighboring cells. This modulation is essential for the detection of the direction of moving objects within the visual field.

Neurotransmitters[edit]

Starburst amacrine cells utilize two main neurotransmitters: acetylcholine and GABA. Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that enhances the response of ganglion cells, while GABA is inhibitory, providing a balance that is crucial for precise directional tuning.

Role in Vision[edit]

These cells are integral to the retina's ability to process motion. By influencing the ganglion cells, starburst amacrine cells help in the creation of a neural map of motion direction, which is then transmitted to the brain for further processing.

Research[edit]

Studies on starburst amacrine cells have provided insights into the mechanisms of direction selectivity and motion detection in the visual system. Research continues to explore their role in visual processing and potential implications for visual disorders.

References[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Starburst amacrine cell''' is a type of [[amacrine cell]] in the [[retina]] of the eye. These cells are named for their distinctive dendritic morphology, which resembles a starburst. They play a crucial role in the detection of motion direction in the visual system.
-== Anatomy ==
+{{Infobox neuron
+| name = Starburst amacrine cell
+| image = <!-- Image removed -->
+| caption = <!-- Caption removed -->
+| location = [[Retina]]
+| function = [[Direction selectivity]]
+| neurotransmitter = [[Acetylcholine]], [[GABA]]
+}}
-Starburst amacrine cells are found in both the [[inner nuclear layer]] (INL) and the [[ganglion cell layer]] (GCL) of the retina. They are characterized by their radially symmetric, starburst-shaped dendritic trees. Each cell has two sets of dendrites: one that extends into the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and another that extends into the outer plexiform layer (OPL).
+The '''starburst amacrine cell''' is a type of [[amacrine cell]] found in the [[retina]] of the [[eye]]. These cells are crucial for the processing of [[visual information]], particularly in the detection of [[motion]] and [[direction selectivity]].
-[[File:Starburst amacrine cell.png|thumb|right|300px|A starburst amacrine cell in the retina. The cell's dendrites extend in all directions, giving it a starburst appearance.]]
+==Structure==
+Starburst amacrine cells are characterized by their unique [[dendritic]] arborization, which resembles a starburst pattern. This distinctive structure allows them to interact with multiple [[bipolar cells]] and [[ganglion cells]], facilitating complex [[synaptic]] connections.
-== Function ==
+==Function==
+The primary function of starburst amacrine cells is to contribute to the [[direction selectivity]] of [[retinal ganglion cells]]. They release the neurotransmitters [[acetylcholine]] and [[GABA]], which play a role in modulating the activity of neighboring cells. This modulation is essential for the detection of the direction of moving objects within the visual field.
-Starburst amacrine cells are involved in the detection of motion direction. They achieve this through a mechanism known as 'directional selectivity', which allows them to respond preferentially to motion in a particular direction. This is achieved through the asymmetric release of [[neurotransmitter]]s from their dendrites, which is influenced by the direction of the incoming light stimulus.
+==Neurotransmitters==
+Starburst amacrine cells utilize two main neurotransmitters: [[acetylcholine]] and [[GABA]]. [[Acetylcholine]] is an excitatory neurotransmitter that enhances the response of [[ganglion cells]], while [[GABA]] is inhibitory, providing a balance that is crucial for precise [[directional tuning]].
-== Clinical significance ==
+==Role in Vision==
+These cells are integral to the [[retina]]'s ability to process [[motion]]. By influencing the [[ganglion cells]], starburst amacrine cells help in the creation of a neural map of motion direction, which is then transmitted to the [[brain]] for further processing.
-Abnormalities in starburst amacrine cells have been associated with certain visual disorders, such as [[retinitis pigmentosa]] and [[glaucoma]]. Further research into these cells may therefore provide insights into the pathogenesis of these conditions and potential treatment strategies.
+==Research==
+Studies on starburst amacrine cells have provided insights into the mechanisms of [[direction selectivity]] and [[motion detection]] in the [[visual system]]. Research continues to explore their role in [[visual processing]] and potential implications for [[visual disorders]].
-== See also ==
+==See also==
 * [[Amacrine cell]]
 * [[Retina]]
-* [[Directional selectivity]]
+* [[Direction selectivity]]
+* [[Visual system]]
-== References ==
+==References==
+<references/>
-<references />
+{{Neuroscience}}
+{{Retina}}
-[[Category:Neuroanatomy]]
+[[Category:Neurons]]
+[[Category:Retina]]
 [[Category:Visual system]]
-[[Category:Eye]]
-[[Category:Retina]]
-{{anatomy-stub}}