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Assessments of Visual Function

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Book cover Animal Models of Movement Disorders

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 62))

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Abstract

The visual system is the part of the central nervous system that detects light. It is sub-served by the ­photoreceptor detectors within the eye, and this information allows creatures to build a representation of the visual world as well as regulating a whole range of subconscious physiological processes. Here we describe seven techniques to probe the functionality of the visual system in rodents. They encompass direct electrical recordings and functional anatomy, as well as reflexes and behavioural response outputs of light detection. Used in concert, these techniques can enable the assessment of which photoreceptor classes are functioning as well as to indicate whether light information is processed at a sub-cortical and/or cortical level.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ocular Biology and Therapeutics, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College, London, UK

    Ma’ayan Semo, Carlos Gias, Anthony Vugler & Peter John Coffey

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  1. Ma’ayan Semo
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  2. Carlos Gias
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  3. Anthony Vugler
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  4. Peter John Coffey
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Correspondence to Peter John Coffey .

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  1. , Welsh School of Pharmacology, Cardiff University, Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom

    Emma L. Lane

  2. School of Biosciences, Brain Repair Group, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom

    Stephen B. Dunnett

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Semo, M., Gias, C., Vugler, A., Coffey, P.J. (2011). Assessments of Visual Function. In: Lane, E., Dunnett, S. (eds) Animal Models of Movement Disorders. Neuromethods, vol 62. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-301-1_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-301-1_16

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