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SUMMARY:Retinal mechanisms of non-image-forming vision - Dr Manuel Spitsch
 an\, Oxford University
DTSTART:20171002T120000Z
DTEND:20171002T130000Z
UID:TALK74281@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:John Mollon
DESCRIPTION:The spectral\, spatial and temporal properties of the retinal 
 mechanisms underlying circadian phase shifting and acute melatonin suppres
 sion by bright light are an important area of investigation. The photopigm
 ent melanopsin\, expressed in a subset of retinal ganglion cells\, renderi
 ng them intrinsically photosensitive\, is thought to largely mediate these
  “non-image-forming” effects of light. Using the method of silent subs
 titution\, which allows for the targeted stimulation of melanopsin in huma
 ns\, we have made progress in measuring and understanding the contribution
 s of melanopsin to the pupillary light reflex and to primary visual cortex
 . A key focus has been on developing methods to assess the quality of isol
 ation of melanopsin with minimal inadvertent stimulation of the cones. Fut
 ure work using the silent substitution paradigm will tease apart the diffe
 rent photoreceptor contributions to the human circadian system.
LOCATION:Ground Floor Lecture Theatre\, Department of Psychology\, Downing
  Site\, Cambridge
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