Persistence of visual responsiveness in the lateral geniculate nucleus of rats treated with monosodium-L-glutamate.
Normal treatment of rats with monosodium-L-glutamate (MSG) resulted in extensive degeneration of the inner nuclear layer of the retina. The retino-hypothalamic projection was still functional as these rats entrained their circadian food intake rhythm to the light-dark cycle. A normal proportion of dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) cells in MSG rats responded to visual stimulation. The response pattern, latency and variability of LGNd cells at different times (3-18 months) after treatment were comparable to those of normal rats. These results demonstrate the MSG-induced retinal damage does not lead to blindness in the rat. The similarity in pathophysiology between MSG lesioned rats and animals exposed to constant illumination is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D051381:Rats; D011930:Reaction Time; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000139:chemically induced; D012970:Sodium Glutamate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
D005971:Glutamates; D012970:Sodium Glutamate