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Electroretinogram B-Wave Amplitude in Panic Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Paolo Castrogiovanni ,
Fulvio Pieraccini ,
Sonia Iapichino ,
Claudia Pacchierotti ,
Letizia Bossini ,
Elisabetta Truglia ,
Claudio Malpassi  and
Bruno Natale
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Abstract

Abnormal light-related behaviors have been described for patients with panic disorder (PD). The present study was undertaken to investigate the retinal light response in PD using electroretinography (ERG). The authors conducted bwave ERG measurements with a bright light (after dark adaptation) in 28 patients with PD and 28 control subjects. There were no significant differences in the mean b-wave amplitude between the two groups, but the retinal response to light in PD patients was generally lower than in healthy subjects. A large interindividual variability was found; also noted was a significant difference in the mean b-wave amplitude between the right and left eyes in the control group. The data indicate subtle variation of retinal photosensitivity in a subgroup of patients with PD. Because dopaminergic retinal activity affects b-ERG amplitude, the authors hypothesize that the dopaminergic system is involved in the response to light in PD patients.

Information

Type
Feature Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 6 , Issue 3: New Perspectives on Examining Neuropsychiatric Disorders , March 2001 , pp. 210 - 213
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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