3.24 - Evolution and Development of Eye-Specific Layers in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Abstract

The pattern of inputs from the two eyes to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) is a distinguishing feature of mammalian species. Eye-specific connections to the LGN form through a process involving the segregation of right versus left eye ganglion cell axons, from an initially overlapping state. Recent experiments have shown that this process requires both spontaneous retinal activity and axon guidance cues. The specific role of eye-specific segregation in visual processing is unknown, but manipulations that alter the pattern or degree of segregation may provide new insights. Since the degree of eye-specific segregation in the LGN generally correlates with the degree of binocular vision, we consider how the evolution of frontally placed eyes and eye-specific connections in the LGN may relate to one another in terms of visual function and developmental mechanisms.