The effects of serotonin drugs on horizontal and ganglion cells in the rabbit retina.

We have investigated the effects of a serotonin 5-HT2 antagonist and a 5-HT1A agonist on horizontal and ganglion cells in the rabbit retina. Simultaneous intracellular horizontal cell and extracellular ganglion cell recordings were obtained from a superfused in vitro rabbit eyecup preparation and the effects of bath applied drugs on these cells' light responses observed. Sinusoidally modulated current was also injected into horizontal cells while the extracellular spike activity of nearby, single-unit ganglion cells was monitored. Although the ON components of the light-evoked responses of ganglion cells were reduced by the 5-HT2 antagonist or the 5-HT1A agonist, the membrane potential and the light responses of horizontal cells and the b-wave of the ERG were simultaneously unaffected. However, the drugs blocked current-driven ganglion cell spike activity induced by current injections into nearby horizontal cells. These results are discussed with respect to the site of action of these serotonin drugs and with respect to the circuitry of serotonergic neurons.