Fig. 8. Schematic diagram of calcium-mediated RGC firing to the burst stimulation.
The burst stimulation strategy depends on an increase of intracellular calcium concentration, regulated by voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) for calcium influx and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺–ATPase (SERCA) for calcium reuptake. Burst stimulation activates VGCCs at bipolar cell (BC) synapses, boosting calcium influx and then glutamate release from the BC, therefore increasing RGC firing. Thapsigargin (Th) inhibits SERCA, preventing calcium reuptake, raising intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i), and then releasing glutamate from the bipolar cell, thus enhancing RGC firing. RGC, retinal ganglion cell; IP₃R/RyR, inositol–1,4,5–triphosphate receptors/ryanodine receptors; ER, endoplasmic reticulum.

Korean J Physiol Pharmacol 2023;27:541-553 https://doi.org/10.4196/kjpp.2023.27.6.541

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