MEASUREMENT OF FUNCTION IN AN IN VITRO PREPARATION OF MAMMALIAN CENTRAL NERVOUS TISSUE

Abstract

Methods are described for isolating the retina and an attached segment of the optic nerve from an anesthetized rabbit, for maintaining the preparation in a functional state in an incubation medium, and for measuring light-evoked potentials with a pair of electrodes recording from the retina and another pair of electrodes recording from the optic nerve. The potential recorded from the retina had a short latency and a long duration and was resistant to procaine and anoxia. It was apparently closely related to the primary photochemical-electrical event. The potential recorded from the nerve had the characteristics of a compound action potential and presumably reflected sequential function of the three sets of neurons in the retina. It was very sensitive to procaine and anoxia. Accommodation to light and dark was demonstrated in vitro. This preparation would appear to be useful for studying the function of integrated neurons under circumstances in which the chemical environment of the cells can be controlled and for studying certain features of the photo-receptive process.