Oscillatory Potentials in Achromatopsia as a Tool for Understanding Cone Retinal Functions

Achromatopsia (ACHM) is an inherited autosomal recessive disease lacking cone photoreceptors functions. In this study, we characterize the time-frequency representation of the full-field electroretinogram (ffERG) component oscillatory potentials (OPs), to investigate the connections between photoreceptors and the inner retinal network using ACHM as a model. Time-frequency characterization of OPs was extracted from 52 controls and 41 achromat individuals. The stimulation via ffERG was delivered under dark-adaptation (DA, 3.0 and 10.0 cd·s·m^-2) to assess mixed rod-cone responses. The ffERG signal was subsequently analyzed using a continuous complex Morlet transform. Time-frequency maps of both DA conditions show the characterization of OPs, disclosing in both groups two distinct time-frequency windows (~70-100 Hz and >100 Hz) within 50 ms. Our main result indicates a significant cluster (p < 0.05) in both conditions of reduced relative power (dB) in ACHM people compared to controls, mainly at the time-frequency window >100 Hz. These results suggest that the strongly reduced but not absent activity of OPs above 100 Hz is mostly driven by cones and only in small part by rods. Thus, the lack of cone modulation of OPs gives important insights into interactions between photoreceptors and the inner retinal network and can be used as a biomarker for monitoring cone connection to the inner retina.