tetrodotoxin and Diabetic-Retinopathy

Contributions to the multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) from the inner retina (i.e. ganglion and amacrine cells) were identified by recording from monkeys before and after intravitreal injections of n-methyl DL aspartate (NMDLA) and/or tetrodotoxin (TTX). Components similar in waveform to those removed by the drugs were identified in the human multifocal ERG if the stimulus contrast was set at 50% rather than the typically employed 100% contrast. These components were found to be missing or diminished in the records from some patients with glaucoma and diabetes, diseases which affect the inner retina.

Topics: Adult; Animals; Diabetic Retinopathy; Electroretinography; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Macaca mulatta; Middle Aged; N-Methylaspartate; Pattern Recognition, Visual; Retina; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Tetrodotoxin