The aged mouse retina: Anatomical and functional study of retinal ganglion cells

Abstract

Aims/Purpose: the purpose of this work is to analyse anatomically and functionally the population of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) throughout the mouse lifespan.Methods: Retinal functionality was studied by electroretinogram in male and female C57BL/6J mice at 3, 6 and 18 months of age. Retinas were dissected as flat mounts at 3 and 18 months, the total number of RGCs immunodetected with Brn3a and automatically quantified.Results: Regarding retinal functionality, we observed that the pSTR wave significantly decreased in males at 6 months (p < 0.01 vs. 3 months) and progressed significantly at 18 months (p < 0.01 vs. 6 months). In females, RGC functional decline was observed later than in males, at 18 months (p < 0.001 vs. 3 months). The loss of RGC functionality was not accompanied by RGC death, as the total number of RGCs remained constant in both sexes from 3 to 18 months of age.Conclusions: Aging of the retina is associated with functional changes that may be due to neuronal dysfunction rather than cell loss.