Retinal output and the retino-recipient centers

The field of retinal output and retino-recipient centers is pivotal in understanding the primary computation of visual information processed by retinal neurons. In the mouse visual system, the retina comprises more than 40 retinal ganglion cell (RGC) subtypes, each encoding distinct visual features and initiating parallel signaling streams to various visual brain centers. While the retina-dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN)-to-primary visual cortex (V1) pathwayaxis is responsible for image-forming information streams, non-image-forming pathways reach over 50 small nuclei in the midbrain, hypothalamus, or thalamus. These brain centers, characterized by heterogeneous neuron populations and retinotopic organization, perform diverse roles, including initiating behavioral patterns, modulating biological systems, and relaying visual information to multisensory brain areas. Recent studies have highlighted the role of the superior colliculus (SC) in integrating multisensory and motor signals to drive fear responses, and the accessory optic systems in stabilizing visual perception through reflex eye movements. Across species — including flies, fishes, frogs, rodents, and primates — neural circuits responsible for visually-induced behaviors have been identified in the retina and retino-recipient centers, underscoring the conserved nature of these mechanisms. Despite these advances, the functioning of early visual circuits remains largely unexplored. The advent of new methodological approaches and genetically modified mouse strains has significantly propelled research in this area, yet a comprehensive understanding of the underlying circuitry is still lacking.

This research topic aims to collect some of the most recent information on retinal signaling diversity and computation to provide readers with a broad insight that may outline organizational tendencies and contribute to our mechanical understanding of the underlying circuitry. The primary objective is to explore how diverse retinal signaling is processed and computed across different brain centers, and how these processes are influenced by the internal state of the brain. By addressing these questions, the research seeks to enhance our understanding of the complex interactions between retinal outputs and retino-recipient centers, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of visual information processing.

To gather further insights into the complex interactions between retinal outputs and retino-recipient centers, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- The role of retinal ganglion cell subtypes in encoding visual features.
- The organization and function of non-image-forming pathways in the midbrain, hypothalamus, and thalamus.
- The integration of multisensory and motor signals in the superior colliculus.
- The influence of internal brain states on retinal signaling efficiency.
- Methodological advancements in studying early visual circuits.
- The impact of genetically modified mouse strains on retinal processing and vision-associated behavior.
- The modulation of retinal signaling by behavioral contexts such as hunger or fear.
- The neural computation to operate vision-related behavior in animals, such as fly, fish, frog, rodent, and primate.