Abstract
Images of the visual world are highly processed by the retina before being sent to higher visual centers. Neuronal networks incorporating both chemical and electrical synaptic transmission mediate signal processing. Here we provide an overview of gap junction coupling patterns in the retina and outline functional roles for coupling in various retinal cell types. In particular we focus on (1) how gap junction coupling differentially modulates receptive field size in diverse retinal cell types, (2) how coupling between AII amacrine and ON cone bipolar cells mediates scotopic visual responses, looming responses in certain ganglion cells, and spontaneous oscillations in mouse models of retinal degeneration, (3) how mixed electrical–chemical signaling endows certain ganglion cells with the unique ability to compensate for spatial lags arising from retinal processing delays, and (4) how coupling provides certain ganglion cells with the ability to multiplex their output using a fine-scale synchrony code. We conclude by outlining future directions for gap junction research in the retina.
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