Current source density analysis of ON/OFF channels in the frog optic tectum

Abstract

In the vertebrate retina, it is well known that an ON/OFF dichotomy is present. In other words, ON-center and OFF-center cells participate in segregated pathways morphologically and physiologically. However, there is no doubt that integration of both channels is necessary to generate the complicated response properties of visual neurons in higher optic centers. So far, functional organization of the ON and OFF channels in the optic centers has not been demonstrated at the level of neuronal populations. In this review article, we summarize our experimental approaches to demonstrate functional organization of the ON and OFF channels using current source density (CSD) analysis in the frog optic tectum. First, we show that one-dimensional CSD analysis, assuming constant conductivity, is applicable in the tectal laminated structure. The CSD depth profile of a response to electrical stimulation of the optic tract is composed of three current sinks (A, B, and D) in the retinorecipient layers and two current sinks (C and E) below those layers. This result is in agreement with previous morphological and physiological findings, and shows that CSD analysis is very useful to demonstrate the flow of visual information processing. Second, CSD analysis of tectal responses evoked by diffuse light ON and OFF stimuli reveals obviously different distributions of synaptic activity in the laminar structure. Two or three current sinks (I, II and III) are generated in response to ON stimulation only in the retinorecipient layers, while up to six current sinks (IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX) to OFF stimulation throughout the tectal layers. Based on well known properties of retinal ganglion cells of the frog, possible neuronal mechanisms underlying each current sinks and their functional roles in visually guided behavior are considered.