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Variability in clinically measured photopic oscillatory potentials

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Abstract

Oscillatory potentials found on the ascending phase of the electroretinogram b-wave probably originate in some element(s) of the inner plexiform layer. As oscillatory potentials are particularly sensitive to changes in retinal, and possibly choroidal, blood flow, they have been used extensively to provide clinical measures of the degree of retinal ischemia during the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Recent studies in our laboratories have disclosed previously unreported significant variability in the photopic oscillatory potentials on repeated measures even in tightly controlled conditions. The amplitude of five recordable light-adapted wavelets exhibited considerable intra- and inter-subject variability. Until further investigation can determine factors affecting standardization of testing, it appears that changes in oscillatory potential implicit times rather than in amplitudes are a better measurement in clinical neurophysiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Waterloo, School of Optometry, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    Angela C. Kothe & John V. Lovasik

  2. Department of Paediatrics & Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, T2T 5C7, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Stuart G. Coupland

Authors
  1. Angela C. Kothe
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  2. John V. Lovasik
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  3. Stuart G. Coupland
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Kothe, A.C., Lovasik, J.V. & Coupland, S.G. Variability in clinically measured photopic oscillatory potentials. Doc Ophthalmol 71, 381–395 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00152765

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