title: Attenuating effects of diazepam on the electroretinogram of normal humans.
abstract: Response/log I curves were obtained under conditions of dark-and light-adaptation in seven normal male volunteers. For each subject, a baseline electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded. In the same afternoon, a second ERG was obtained after 0.05 mg/kg diazepam, and a third ERG was recorded following 0.10 mg/kg diazepam. Under conditions of dark-adaptation, the following dose-dependent changes were identified: 1) Diazepam attenuated the rod b-wave peak amplitude and increased its implicit time; 2) The dark-adapted longer wavelength cone a-wave and 'blue cone' b-wave showed an increased implicit time; 3) All oscillatory potentials showed an increased implicit time. Under conditions of light-adaptation, dose-dependent decreases in peak amplitude and delays in implicit time were observed for the a- and b-waves. The effects of diazepam on the human ERG were more profound under conditions of light- than dark-adaptation.
authors.affiliation: National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hommer
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Straw
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: de Monasterio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009991:Oscillometry; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003975:Diazepam; D004298:Dopamine