Neurotransmitters in the visual system of the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster

...............................................................................3 PAPERS......................................................................................4 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................7 The optic lobe of Drosophila melanogaster ................................7 Retina ..............................................................7 Lamina .............................................................8 Medulla...........................................................10 Lobula............................................................10 Lobula plate .....................................................11 Neurotransmitters in the visual system...................................11 Fast neural responses...........................................11 Modulatory responses ..........................................11 The endogenous biological clock .............................................13 Peripheral circadian oscillators in the visual system ......13 Central pacemaker function in the visual system............14 AIMS OF THIS THESIS...................................................................14 MATERIALS AND METHODS ..........................................................15 PAPER I ..................................................................................16 PAPER II..................................................................................18 CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES.........................................18 ACh, Glu, GABA and 5-HT circuits in the lamina........................18 Neurotransmitter circuits in relation to the peripheral clock.............18 Neurotransmitter circuits in relation to the central pacemaker...........19 AKNOWLEDGEMENTS...................................................................19 BIBLIOGRAPHY...........................................................................20