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Senescence of human multifocal electroretinogram components: a localized approach

  • Clinical Investigation
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Abstract

Background

Previous studies have shown significant age-related changes in the first-order kernel of multifocal ERG (mfERG) responses. All of these reports were based upon ring averages across the retinal field. This study was carried out to determine age-related changes in the localized response and localized variability in the mfERG parameters: N1P1 amplitude, scalar product and implicit time of P1.

Methods

MfERG recordings from 70 normal phakic subjects (ages 9–80 years) were analyzed with VERIS 4.8. Scalar product values (for each hexagon based on ring average templates) were obtained and analyzed for age-related changes. Statistical measures such as coefficient of variation (CV) and parameters of a linear regression model were applied. Point-by-point comparisons were made across hemifields.

Results

Each localized response showed a significant aging effect either in scalar product or in N1P1 amplitude. The average decline of the response was ~5% per decade, varying from 3.3% (peripherally) to 7.5% (perifoveally). The decline was significantly higher for the superior than for the inferior retina for amplitude parameters, corresponding to larger increases in P1 implicit time. The relative rate of change with age was similar for the nasal and the temporal retina. The average CV for all subjects at all locations was 29.4% (±4.1%).

Conclusions

The localized approach revealed patterns of age-related change that were not apparent in the ring averages. Information about changes in discrete retinal areas with age should make the mfERG more useful in quantitatively monitoring progression of retinal disease.

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Acknowledgement

We appreciate the technical assistance of Susan Garcia, Lei Ma and Lawrence Morse. This work was funded by the National Institute on Aging (AG04058) and a Jules and Doris Stein Research to Prevent Blindness Professorship.

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Author notes

  1. Radouil T. Tzekov

    Present address: Biological Sciences RD-2C, Allergan Inc., Irvine, California, USA

  2. Christina Gerth

    Present address: Department of Ophthalmology, St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of California–Davis, Suite 2400, 4860 Y Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA

    Radouil T. Tzekov, Christina Gerth & John S. Werner

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  1. Radouil T. Tzekov
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  2. Christina Gerth
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Correspondence to John S. Werner.

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Tzekov, R.T., Gerth, C. & Werner, J.S. Senescence of human multifocal electroretinogram components: a localized approach. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 242, 549–560 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-0892-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-0892-0

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