The present MEMRI examination was a safe (i.e., nontoxic) and relatively straightforward procedure that appeared to robustly reflect layer-specific retinal ion demand that correlates with normal retinal physiology responses associated with light and dark visual processing. Comprehensive MEMRI measures of retinal ion demand may be envisioned in a range of animal models for the study of normal development and aging.

Golgi techniques were combined with electron microscopic autoradiography to identify four subpopulations of amacrine cell in the cat retina which accumulate (3H)glycine. These subpopulations include types A3, A4, A7(AII), and A8 amacrine cells. All are narrow-field cells with dendritic spreads of less than 100 micron. Quantification of silver grains showed that each subpopulation exhibits a consistent affinity for (3H)glycine. Type A8 cells were found to have the greatest affinity with normalized grain densities of 0.88-1.0 grains/micron 2 on a scale in which 1.0 represents the most heavily labeled cell. Type A4 cells were moderately labeled with grain densities ranging from 0.40 to 0.68 grains/micron 2. A7(AII) and A3 amacrines were lightly labeled with grain densities of 0.33-0.35 grains/micron 2 and 0.28-0.30 grains/micron 2, respectively.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling is defective in Angelman syndrome and can be rescued by disruption of Arc/PSD95 binding.

Golgi impregnation techniques were combined with electron microscopic autoradiography of (3H-muscimol in order to provide morphological identification of labeled neurons in the cat retina. This gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist has been shown to label the same neurons which accumulate (3H)GABA. Selected cells were photographed and drawn by the aid of a camera lucida drawing tube prior to being thin sectioned for autoradiography. The (3H)muscimol-accumulating neurons which were identified include an interplexiform cell, five classes of conventional amacrine cell, and another cell with its soma located in the ganglion cell layer which is either a ganglion cell or a displaced amacrine. The conventional amacrine cells were compared with the recent morphological classification of Kolb et al. (Vision Res. 21: 1081-1114, '81) and identified as A2, A10, A13, A17, and A19 amacrine cells. These cells exhibit a widespread distribution providing input to all five strata of the inner plexiform layer.