Specific effects of neurotransmitter antagonists on ganglion cells in rabbit retina.

Directionally sensitive ganglion cells in rabbit retina lose their directional sensitivity when picrotoxin, an antagonist of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, is infused into the retinal blood supply. Strychnine, an antagonist of glycine, does not produce this effect. Other receptive field types are affected by strychnine but not picrotoxin. Inhibitory transmitters therefore have specific functions in information processing in the retina.