Purpose
To present a new method for the study of spreading depression in isolated chick retina. OCT makes it possible to register the reflectance of each layer of the tissue, performing a functional image of the retina during spreading depression. The tissue is kept intact, since histological cuts are not necessary.
Methods
Retinas from 6-10 days post-hatched chicks were divided into two parts along the equator. The posterior half was put into a small transparent chamber, filled with a balanced salt solution (BSS). A 78D lens was positioned between the OCT and the chamber in order to focus the rays on the retina. Retinal spreading depression was elicited with mechanical stimulation by a tungsten wire. A Spectralis Heidelberg OCT was used to obtain the images of the intact tissue.
Results
Several images were taken of the retinal layers. All the images enabled the visualization of the light scattered by the inner plexiform layer (IPL), which is the most prominent scatter retinal layer during Spreading Depression.
Conclusions
We present a novel method for obtaining retinal tomographic imaging in spreading depression without histological cuts. It permits “on-time” analysis and observation as the phenomena occurs, opening many possibilities for further studies.
Keywords: 688 retina •
552 imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) •
419 anatomy