Amacrine cells

Amacrine Cells

Amacrine cells (/əˈmæk.rɪn/; from Greek 'αμακρινής', meaning 'blurred') are interneurons in the retina. They play a crucial role in the visual processing pathway by integrating, modulating, and segregating the bipolar cell input to retinal ganglion cells.

Etymology

The term "amacrine" was coined by the British ophthalmologist Francis W. Campbell in 1907. It is derived from the Greek words 'α' (not) and 'μακρός' (long), referring to the short axons of these cells.

Function

Amacrine cells receive input from bipolar cells and provide output to retinal ganglion cells. They are responsible for 70% of input to retinal ganglion cells, playing a significant role in temporal and spatial integration, contrast enhancement, and signal-to-noise ratio improvement.

Types

There are about 30 different types of amacrine cells, each with unique functions and morphology. The two most well-known types are the AII amacrine cells and the starburst amacrine cells, which play key roles in night vision and direction selectivity, respectively.

Clinical Significance

Amacrine cells are affected in several retinal diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Understanding the function and pathology of these cells can help in the development of new treatments for these conditions.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Amacrine cells
Wikipedia's article - Amacrine cells

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