Retinal ganglion cell (RGC)

**Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs)** are a type of neuron located in the ganglion cell layer of the retina and are the final output neurons connecting the retina to the brain[1][3][5][7]. Each RGC receives synaptic input from bipolar and amacrine cells that have integrated signals from photoreceptors (rods and cones)[1][3][7]. RGCs generate action potentials and transmit visual information via the optic nerve to multiple visual centers in the brain, including the lateral geniculate nucleus and the superior colliculus[1][3]. They are highly diverse, with at least 20–40 subtypes in mammals, differing in morphology, physiology, gene expression, and functional specialization for aspects such as color, motion, and contrast[3][5][6]. Subtypes include midget, parasol, and bistratified cells, as well as intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (ipRGCs), which express melanopsin and directly sense light for non-image-forming functions[3][4][5]. RGC loss is the key pathological event in glaucoma and other optic neuropathies[3][5]. While RGCs are critical in disease biology and may represent a therapeutic target cell population, they are not themselves a canonical pharmacological target such as a receptor, ion channel, or enzyme. **Note:** - There is something intrinsically incorrect about listing "Retinal ganglion cell" as a therapeutic target in the conventional molecular or drug discovery sense, as it is a heterogeneous cell population—not a single molecule, receptor, channel, or enzyme. - Therapeutic interventions may aim to protect, replace, or stimulate these cells, but drugs do not act *on* "retinal ganglion cell" as a target in the classical sense. Instead, treatments may modulate pathways within or protective factors for these neurons[3][5]. - Whenever possible, drug targeting should be specified at the molecular/protein/receptor level within RGCs (e.g., melanopsin/OPN4, neurotrophic receptor, etc.). References: See entries [1], [3], [5], [7] for the most comprehensive overview.

Other names

Ganglion cell (retinal)RGCretinal output neuronoptic nerve ganglion cell

Not applicable for drugs (see above)