Electrophysiological Characteristics of Photoreceptor Response to Light: A Mathematical Model

Abstract

Mathematical models have been used to describe the complex physiological processes of light response in photoreceptors for decades. However, the detailed model has not yet been invented. In this study, we aimed to construct a new photoreceptor model for estimating the chemical and electrical responses to a light stimulus. The proposed model was developed from our previous works (Takeda et at. 2021; Ito et al. 2017; Sato et al. 2017) based on the ionic current model of vertebrate photoreceptor incorporating the classical Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz constant field equation. The novel model successfully describes the biophysical processes of ionic current dynamics during the light responses. Furthermore, the changes in intracellular ion concentrations are in good agreement with theoretical works and experimental data. This study provides an effective framework for future experimental studies and serves as a powerful guideline for better understanding of the pathophysiology of the retina and improving the new treatment studies.