Visual detection: new neural circuits identified in the retina

The detection of approaching objects, such as looming predators, is necessary for survival. Which neurons and nerve circuits mediate this function? A new type of nerve cell, sensitive to approaching motion, has recently been identified in mice. This new retinal function has been brought to light by Rava Azeredo da Silveira of the Laboratoire de Physique Statistique of the École Normale Supérieure (France) and a team of researchers from the Friedrich-Miescher Institute in Switzerland. Their work was published online on 6 September 2009 on the website of Nature Neuroscience.

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