Multiple hypothalamic cell populations encoding distinct visual information

Non‐technical summary  A retinal projection to a brain ‘clock’ in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and various other hypothalamic regions allows light to regulate many aspects of physiology and behaviour. The exact nature of light‐evoked responses in these hypothalamic regions and the degree to which they rely upon the various classes of retinal photoreceptor is incompletely understood. Multielectrode recordings in the mouse hypothalamus reveal four classes of visually responsive neuron whose activity is altered by changes in illumination (contrast) and/or according to steady‐state light levels (irradiance). These cells appear in different locations and vary in their daily profile of electrical activity. The properties of one class suggest a direct association with regulating the SCN clock, while the others appear suited to provide more direct modulations in physiology and behaviour. Together, these findings establish a framework for understanding how light regulates such a diverse array of body systems.

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