Coronate cells: displaced amacrines of the rabbit retina?

The rabbit retinal ganglion cell layer contains a soma population which is morphologically distinct from the demonstrated ganglion cells. These "coronate cells" (Vaney, '80) have many features in common with classical neurons and are qualitatively different from typical glial cells. Detailed investigation by specific staining, ribonuclease treatment, and electron microscopy indicates that coronate cells are microneurons. The coronate cells contain somatic subsurface cisternae typical of rabbit amacrine cells, and are similar in appearance to some neurons of the amacrine cell layer. It is suggested that they represent, at least in part, a population of "displaced" amacrine cells.