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Light adaptation, rods, and the human cone flicker ERG

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

Neal S. Peachey,
Kenneth R. Alexander,
Deborah J. Derlacki and
Gerald A. Fishma
Neal S. Peachey
Affiliation:
Hines VA HospitalDepartment of Neurology, Loyola University Medical Center
Kenneth R. Alexander
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Deborah J. Derlacki
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Gerald A. Fishma
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
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Abstract

During the course of light adaptation, the amplitude and implicit time of the human cone ERG change systematically. In the present study, the effect of adapting field luminance on these ERG changes was assessed, and the hypothesis that light adaptation of the rod system is the primary determining factor was evaluated. Cone ERG responses, isolated through the use of 31.1-Hz flicker, were obtained from two visually normal subjects, initially under dark-adapted conditions and then repeatedly for 30 min following the onset of each of a series of ganzfeld adapting fields with luminances that ranged from –1.2 to 2.1 log cd/m. The increase in flicker ERG amplitude and decrease in implicit time during light adaptation were greatest at the highest adapting field luminances. Photopically equivalent achromatic and long-wavelength adapting fields induced comparable increases in flicker ERG amplitude, while scotopically equivalent adapting fields had considerably different effects. This latter finding demonstrates that the rod system is not a major determinant of the adaptation-induced increase in cone ERG amplitude.

Keywords

ConeElectroretinogramLight adaptation

Information

Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , February 1992, pp. 145 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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