Notable Paper: Functional and Anatomical Remodeling in Human Retinal Detachment

This manuscript by Clairton F de Souza, Michael Kalloniatis, Philip J Polkinghorne, Charles N J McGhee and Monica L Acosta examined retinal remodeling in response to a form of retinal detachment.  Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.  The authors describe the changes observed and note that retinal plasticity is acute and likely occurs quickly enough that it may explain persistent …

Notable Paper: Microglia Sculpt Postnatal Neural Circuits In An Activity And Complement-Dependent Manner

This very cool study by Dorothy P. Schafer, Emily K. Lehrman, Amanda G. Kautzman, Ryuta Koyama, Alan R. Mardinly, Ryo Yamasaki, Richard M. Ransohoff, Michael E. Greenberg, Ben A. Barres and Beth Stevens demonstrates how the immune system can participate in the circuitry of the developing mouse lateral genicular nucleus (LGN). As the immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), microglia are constantly …

Notable Paper: Age-Related Changes In The Daily Rhythm of Photoreceptor Functioning And Circuitry In A Melatonin-Proficient Mouse Strain

This is an interesting study in PLoS One examining the involvement of melatonin in the retina, particularly in the survival of retinal neurons through aging studies in CH3-f+/+ mice, a melatonin proficient mouse strain.  As expected, certain physiological measures (a and b waves) are lost during aging, and in particular, the daily circadian rhythms of those measures. …