Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells: classification, function and clinical implications.

Mirjam Münch, Aki Kawasaki

Solar Energy and Building Physics Laboratory, ENAC, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Current opinion in neurology 2013 Feb

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The discovery of a new class of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) revealed their superior role for various nonvisual biological functions, including the pupil light reflex, and circadian photoentrainment. Recent works have identified and characterized several anatomically and functionally distinct ipRGC subtypes and have added strong new evidence for the accessory role of ipRGCs in the visual system in humans. This review summarizes current concepts related to ipRGC morphology, central connections and behavioural functions and highlights recent studies having clinical relevance to ipRGCs. Clinical implications of the melanopsin system are widespread, particularly as related to chronobiology.

Citation

Mirjam Münch, Aki Kawasaki. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells: classification, function and clinical implications. Current opinion in neurology. 2013 Feb;26(1):45-51