An overview of functional, psychophysical and structural techniques to study murid models in vision science

Abstract

AbstractThe retina is a highly specialized tissue, made up of various cell types that are structured and organized to form a complex neural network. However, the retina is also highly susceptible to various types of pathophysiological alterations, which can lead to the loss of the different cellular elements and thus to the loss of a large part of the retina's visual functions.Over time, different types of behavioural, functional or electrophysiological tests have been developed that have allowed us to study the different visual capacities of the retina in murine models of retinal neurodegeneration, without the need to sacrifice the animals or induce serious damage from invasive recording.Behavioural testing has proven to be a powerful tool for the study of alterations in retinal visual pathways. These techniques allow a simple but effective analysis of the visual capabilities of experimental animal models with retinal degenerative processes. Physiological aspects such as light sensitivity or the degree of visual acuity of these animal models can be quickly and effectively analysed by applying different types of tests such as the Light/Dark Transition Test or the Optomotor Test, respectively. Likewise, behavioural techniques also allow us to study other biological aspects such as the circadian activity of the animal models, which would allow us to study alterations that also affect the retinal pathways that do not participate in the image formation process. In addition, the simplicity of some of these tests allows the combination of several parameters that allow us to simultaneously study several visual abilities equally.Likewise, other non‐invasive functional tests, such as the Pupillary Light Reflex study, allow us to determine the degree to which retinal neurodegenerative disorders affect other closely related signalling pathways, such as the afferent and efferent pathways responsible for the pupillary reflex.Finally, electroretinographic recording techniques are an invaluable tool for studying the functionality of the various retinal cell populations. By applying specific light stimuli, it is possible to record the specific response of certain cellular elements, studying how various pathophysiological alterations of the retina affect its functionality. Variations of these techniques have even made it possible to study the activity of cells in the primary visual cortex.With the development of new fields of study, such as optopharmacology, the knowledge and correct choice of visual characterization techniques is essential to study the efficacy of these new ophthalmological approaches.