The neurotoxic effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the retinal ganglion cells of the albino rat

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) administered postnatally to the albino rat causes extensive destruction of the retina. This MSG effect does not result in complete blindness. Ganglion cells surviving the MSG treatment are healthy and functional. Using retrogradally transported HRP and Nissl itaining in whole mounted retinas, it \vas found that the ganglion cells left after MSG treatment are nut smaller than those in controls, that these cells do not belong to one cell size group, and that no cell size group is selectively missed. The results explain why photic entrainment of MSG treated animals is still possible.