Simulation analysis of bandpass filtering properties of a rod photoreceptor network

• Published in: Vision research (Oxford) Vol. 49; no. 9; pp. 970 - 978
• Main Authors: Kamiyama, Yoshimi, Wu, Samuel M., Usui, Shiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Bandpass filtering; Biological and medical sciences; Computer Simulation; Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Ion Channels - physiology; Ionic current model; Membrane Potentials - physiology; Models, Neurological; Nerve Net - physiology; Photic Stimulation - methods; Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells - physiology; Rod photoreceptor; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Rod photoreceptor; Bandpass filtering; Ionic current model; Eye; Visual system; Simulation; Rod; Photoreceptor; Retina; Models; Ionic current
• ISSN: 0042-6989; 1878-5646
• DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2009.03.003

The bandpass filtering properties of a rod network were studied via computer simulations. Sinusoidal current stimuli were applied to a single rod model to characterize its temporal filtering properties. The simulated frequency response revealed that a single rod behaves as a bandpass filter whose characteristics are affected by the stimulus strength and frequency. We analyzed the contribution of individual ionic currents to bandpass filtering and found that the filtering of small signals is largely regulated by the calcium-dependent currents
I
K(Ca) and
I
Cl(Ca), whereas the filtering of large signals is regulated by the hyperpolarization-activated current,
I
h
. Furthermore, rod network modeling by electrically interconnecting the single rod models revealed that the acceleration of signals that spread laterally through the rod network is attributed to
I
K(Ca) and not
I
h
.