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Simultaneous Recording of Electroretinography and Visual Evoked Potentials in Anesthetized Rats
10:30

Simultaneous Recording of Electroretinography and Visual Evoked Potentials in Anesthetized Rats

Published on: July 1, 2016

Neural responses elicited by electrical stimulation of the retina

Shih-Jen Chen1, Manjunatha Mahadevappa, Roberto Roizenblatt

  • 1Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society
|May 2, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Electrically elicited responses (EERs) can be generated in both normal and degenerated retinas across mouse, dog, and human models. These retinal responses share common characteristics, offering insights for visual prosthetics.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Ophthalmology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Retinal degeneration affects millions globally, leading to vision loss.
  • Understanding neural responses to stimulation is crucial for developing effective visual prosthetics.
  • Epiretinal stimulation aims to bypass damaged photoreceptors to restore vision.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate electrically elicited responses (EERs) in normal and degenerated retinas.
  • To compare EERs across different animal models (mouse, dog) and human subjects.
  • To evaluate the characteristics of EERs for potential use in retinal implants.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized three models of retinal degeneration: rd1 mouse, RCD1 dog, and human retinitis pigmentosa.
  • Employed epiretinal stimulation via wire (mouse) and implantable retinal stimulators (dog, human).
  • Recorded neural activity (single-unit, evoked potentials) from visual cortex and cortical/scalp surfaces.

Main Results:

  • Identified distinct early (<10 ms) and late (>50 ms) EER phases.
  • Confirmed that synaptic blockers eliminated late responses but not early responses.
  • Observed similarities in EERs across mouse, dog, and human models, with variations possibly due to electrode placement.

Conclusions:

  • Electrically elicited responses are achievable in both healthy and degenerated retinas.
  • Common characteristics of EERs were observed across species, supporting translation of findings.
  • The study provides foundational data for the design and efficacy of retinal prostheses.

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