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Pattern-reversal electroretinograms and visual evoked potentials in retinitis pigmentosa

Documenta Ophthalmologica volume 117, pages 27–36 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective To analyze pattern electroretinograms (PERGs) and pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients. Methods PERGs and PVEPs were recorded in 106 eyes of 53 RP patients. A RETIport system was used for stimulation and recording. Results Reproducible PERGs were found in 17 (32%) of the patients, from only one eye in 4 of the 17 patients. We failed to record a normal PERG in any patient. All 53 patients gave reproducible PVEPs. The patients could be divided into three groups according to the waveform of the response. In the first group (n = 17), all patients produced PVEPs with a characteristic, triphasic shape, but with smaller amplitudes. In the second group (n = 16), the PVEPs displayed doubled P100 peaks, with components separated by about 50 ms. The recordings in the third group (n = 20) were broad in shape and characterized by a greatly increased N70–N170 latency difference and decreased amplitudes. Conclusions In the population of RP patients, different types of PVEP waveform alterations can be observed. The appearance of both the responses with decreased amplitude and those with broad, doubled P100 waves might reflect differences in central retinal degeneration. The significance and pathological background of these PVEP alterations need further investigations.

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Acknowledgments

The work was supported by grant OTKA/Hungary T042610, ETT 192/2006 and ETT 197/2006. The skillful help of Kati Majer and Gabi Dósai is gratefully appreciated.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Korányi rkpt. 10-11, Pf: 427, 6720, Szeged, Hungary

    Márta Janáky & Andrea Pálffy

  2. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

    Gyöngyi Horváth, Gábor Tuboly & György Benedek

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  1. Márta Janáky
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  2. Andrea Pálffy
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  3. Gyöngyi Horváth
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  4. Gábor Tuboly
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  5. György Benedek
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Correspondence to Márta Janáky.

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Janáky, M., Pálffy, A., Horváth, G. et al. Pattern-reversal electroretinograms and visual evoked potentials in retinitis pigmentosa. Doc Ophthalmol 117, 27–36 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-007-9099-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-007-9099-0

Keywords

  • Retinitis pigmentosa
  • Pattern electroretinogram
  • Pattern visual evoked potentials
  • Retina
  • Visual cortex