Melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells in primate retina signal colour and irradiance and project to the LGN

A previously unknown population of giant, melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells in the primate retina is identified.

• These giant ganglion cells are intrinsically photosensitive and respond strongly to input from rod and cone photoreceptors.
• They exhibit a unique receptive field that combines responses from short-wavelength-sensitive cones and long/medium-wavelength-sensitive cones.
• The light responses from rods and cones in these cells signal light intensity across the entire range of human vision.
• These cells project to the lateral geniculate nucleus, which is involved in processing visual information before it reaches the primary visual cortex.
• This suggests a potential integration of non-image-forming and image-forming pathways in the diurnal trichromatic primate visual system.

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