Seeing the light...in a new way.
Research over the past decade has shown that the rods and cones are not the only photoreceptors of the eye. There also exists a population of directly light sensitive ganglion cells that act as brightness detectors and regulate a wide variety of different photosensory tasks, including the regulation of 24-h circadian clocks, synthesis of the hormone melatonin, pupil size and behaviour. These receptors may even help modulate our mood and sense of well-being.
Foster
Russell G
RG
Department of Visual Neuroscience, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, UK.
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*