Does pattern electroretinogram spatial tuning alteration in Parkinson's disease depend on motor disturbances or retinal dopaminergic loss?

Peppe, A; Stanzione, P; Pierantozzi, M; Semprini, R; Bassi, A; Santilli, AM; Formisano, R; Piccolino, M; Bernardi, G

HERO ID

3559487

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1998

HERO ID 3559487
In Press No
Year 1998
Title Does pattern electroretinogram spatial tuning alteration in Parkinson's disease depend on motor disturbances or retinal dopaminergic loss?
Authors Peppe, A; Stanzione, P; Pierantozzi, M; Semprini, R; Bassi, A; Santilli, AM; Formisano, R; Piccolino, M; Bernardi, G
Journal Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology
Volume 106
Issue 4
Page Numbers 374-382
Abstract Systemic decrease of dopaminergic cells, such as in Parkinson's disease may produce visual alterations in humans. Zn order to show possible pattern electroretinogram (PERG) spatial tuning function (STE) alterations due to impaired dopaminergic transmission in humans, we studied a group of Parkinson's disease patients before and during treatment with the dopamine precursor, levodopa, and compared theirperformances with those of an age-matched control group. Moreover, in order to exclude the possible involvement of motor disabilities to produce PERG alterations, we also investigated PERC responses in post-traumatic parkinsonian patients who exhibited motor abnormalities as a consequence of focal lesions of basal ganglia, in the absence of systemic dopaminergic degeneration. Our results showed a clear decrease of PERG responses in Parkinson's disease patients particularly at medium spatial frequency range (2.7-4.0 cycles/degree) with a substantial preservation of responses at low frequencies. Levodopa therapy reversed these alterations in Parkinson's disease patients, resulting in the recovery of a normal tuning function shape. In contrast to Parkinson's disease, the tuning function appeared to be preserved in post-traumatic parkinsonian patients. Our results clearly establish a relationship between retinal alteration in PD patients and dopaminergic retinal function. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
Wosid WOS:000073476200010
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Keyword PERG; Parkinson's disease; retina; dopamine; extrapyramidal symptoms