[Role of interneurons in the lateral corpus geniculatum in mammals].
1. This paper presents a summary of the morphological characteristics of I-neurons in the Cgld of mammals. These neurons consist of smaller somata and less dendrites being longer than the P-neurons. In all species investigated until now a short branched axon has been found. The dendritic structures show postsynaptic as well as presynaptic characteristics. 2. The innervation of I-neurons is not cleared up sufficiently. Besides retinal and cortical afferents, recurrent collaterals of P-neurons can be taken into account. Physiologists and morphologists give priority to retinal terminals. 3. The presynaptic dendrites of I-neurons are connected in triads with retinal terminals an P-neuron dendrites. Morphological and physiological findings open up the possibility of triads acting as "quasi interneurons" (HAMORI et al. 1974) and make the tonical activity change into the phasical one. 4. The endings of I-neuron axons being constantly presynaptic, synapse perferably at the somata of P-neurons and act presumably as inhibitors of P-neurons in the margin of a retinal input zone (surroundinhibition). In this connection quantitative considerations are carried out. 5. The morphological specializations of I-neurons are discussed in connection with their supposed physiological properties.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000502:physiology*; D000882:Haplorhini; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012453:Saimiri / Q000502:physiology
Zur Rolle der Interneuronen im Corpus geniculatum laterale der Säugetiere