Reduced Pupillary Light Responses in Mice Lacking Cryptochromes

Mice with severe degeneration of the outer retina still retain substantial photic sensitivity for pupillary responses, as well as for other light-regulated phenomena including phase shifting of circadian rhythms and suppression of pineal melatonin synthesis. Van Gelder et al discuss a study that demonstrates that cryptochromes have an important function in the mammalian nonvisual irradiance detection pathway.