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Using the Electroretinogram to Assess Function in the Rodent Retina and the Protective Effects of Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning
Published on: June 9, 2015
Pseudo normative pattern electroretinograms in young children and infants
Alkiviades Liasis1,2, Richard P Hagan3,4, Ken K Nischal1,5
1Department of Ophthalmology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA.
Insights
Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) responses in children show increasing amplitude and stabilizing timing in the first two years. This study documents the functional maturation of the macula in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- The development of the visual system in children is complex.
- Understanding the maturation of retinal function is crucial for diagnosing visual impairments.
- Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) provides insights into macular function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the developmental trajectory of Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) responses in a pediatric cohort.
- To analyze the maturation of the P50 and N95 components of the PERG in infants and young children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of PERG data from 104 normal pediatric subjects aged 0-9 years.
- PERG responses were recorded using skin electrodes with a widefield stimulus.
- Key outcome measures included the amplitude and latency of the P50 and N95 components.
Main Results:
- PERG P50 amplitude increased significantly during the first two years of life, with a slower increase thereafter.
- P50 latency decreased in the first six months and then stabilized.
- N95 amplitude showed a similar increase, accompanied by a modest decrease in latency.
Conclusions:
- PERG amplitude increases notably in the first two years, reflecting functional maturation of the pediatric macula.
- These findings correlate with known anatomical maturation of the macula.
- Reliable PERG recordings are feasible in infants using skin electrodes and widefield stimuli.
Purpose:
Review Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) data from a pediatric population to characterize the development of response.
Methods:
A case review of 104 subjects who had PERG aged between 0 and 9 years of age as part of routine clinical testing who were categorized as normal. PERG responses were recorded with skin electrodes, with the stimulus presented on a 40o screen. The main outcome measures were the amplitude and timing of the main components of the PERG, the P50 and N95.
Results:
An increase in P50 amplitude was noted over the first 2 years of life, a less rapid increase in amplitude was observed after this. The P50 timing was noted to decrease in the first 6 months but stabilized after this. A similar increase in amplitude was observed for the N95 amplitude with a modest decrease in latency.
Conclusion:
This study has shown an increase in PERG amplitude beyond the first 6 months of life with the most rapid rate of increase of response occurring in the first 2 years. This physiological data potentially documents the functional maturation of the human macula that parallels the anatomical changes noted via histology.
Key Messages:
Robust PERG responses are possible in pediatric cases recorded with skin electrode to widefield stimuli, even in young infants. Paper provides evidence of physiological development of macula that correlates well with previously documented anatomical maturation.
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