[Experimental studies on the changes of immunocytochemistry of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic neurons in the lateral geniculate nuclei of amblyopic kittens].
14 kittens at 2-4 weeks of age were randomly divided into normal (N) and monocular deprived (MD) groups. Before the MD amblyopic models were made, pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) were elicited from the experimental eyes. After the closure of 7 unilateral eyes (right 3, left 4) with operation, the two kitten groups were fed for 12 weeks under a same visual environment. At the end of 12 weeks, PVEPs were re-examined and amblyopia was confirmed in the MD group. The gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) neurons in the layers A, A1 and C in the contralateral geniculate nucleus (CLGN) inputs from N and MD eyes were stained with antibiotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method. The changes in number and grey degree of GABA immunopositive neurons in the layers A, A1 and C in CLGN inputs from N and MD eyes were analysed by a computer image analysis system. The results show that GABA immunopositive neurons are reduced in number and their grey degree is decreased in the layer inputs from MD eyes in the comparisons between the layers of inputs from MD and N eyes. The experiment indicates that (1) GABAergic neurons in the kitten lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) are susceptible to visual deprivation during the postnatal critical period and their functions are dependent on the import of visual sense information and the retinal activity. (2) GABAergic neurons in the LGN act as regulators in dealing with and importing visual signal toward striate cortex.
Shao
L G
LG
Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing.
Zhang
Y H
YH
Zhang
D G
DG
D000550:Amblyopia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000378:metabolism*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid