The rat retinal ganglion cell in culture: An accessible CNS neurone

Retinal ganglion cells are vital for vision, some have intrinsic light sensing properties and in retinal networks display complex computational abilities. Furthermore they are implicated in a very common form of blindness, glaucoma as well some the symptoms of AIDS. Retinal ganglion cells, unlike many neurones of the central nervous system, have a clearly defined physiological role and can be identified in primary cultures with ease. Here we detail the cell culture and electrophysiological methods required to obtain recordings on the voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion currents and channels expressed by these neurones. Information is given on the range of non-ionotropic receptors that are thought to be present on these cells and what role they may have as model systems in the pharmacological and pharmaceutical research environment.