Amacrine cells

Amacrine cells are a type of neuron found in the retina of the eye. They play a crucial role in the visual signal processing pathway, contributing to the complex processing of visual information before it is transmitted to the brain.

Anatomy and Function

Amacrine cells are interneurons that do not directly participate in the transmission of visual signals to the brain. Instead, they connect to bipolar cells and ganglion cells, influencing the output of the retina to the brain. They are named for their small, star-like shape, with 'amacrine' derived from the Greek words 'a' (without) and 'mikron' (small part).

Amacrine cells are primarily responsible for processing visual information within the retina, before it is sent to the brain. They contribute to several aspects of visual perception, including contrast sensitivity, temporal sensitivity, and motion detection.

Types of Amacrine Cells

There are approximately 30 different types of amacrine cells, each with unique morphological and functional characteristics. These include the AII amacrine cell, which plays a key role in night vision, and the starburst amacrine cell, which contributes to motion detection.

Role in Disease

Abnormalities in amacrine cells have been implicated in several eye diseases, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Research into the function of these cells may therefore provide insights into the development and treatment of these conditions.

See Also

• Neuron
• Retina
• Eye diseases