World Wide Neuro | Sussex Vision Series - 18/10/2021 - Dr. Michal Rivlin
Channel: BadenLab
Date: 2021-10-18

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Today, we are delighted to host Dr. Michal Rivlin  from Weismann Institute (Israel)

Top-down modulation of the retinal code via histaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus

The mammalian retina is considered an autonomous neuronal tissue, yet there is evidence that it receives inputs from the brain in the form of retinopetal axons. A sub-population of these axons was suggested to belong to histaminergic neurons located in thetuberomammillarynucleus (TMN) of the hypothalamus. Using viral injections to the TMN, we identifiedthese retinopetal axons and found thatalthough few in number, theyextensively branch tocover a large portion of the retina. Using Ca2+imaging and electrophysiology, we show that histamine application increases spontaneous firing rates and alters the light responses of a significant portion of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs). Directactivation of the histaminergic axonsalso inducedsignificant changes in RGCs activity. Since activity in the TMN was shown to correlate with arousal state, our data suggest the retinal code may change with the animal's behavioral statethrough the release of histamine from TMN histaminergic neurons.