Attenuating actions of diazepam on the photomyoclonic reflex.
The photomyoclonic reflex (PMR), consisting of a one- or two-component blink reflex associated with the flash electroretinogram (ERG), is sensitive to the acute effect of intravenously administered diazepam. In the 29% (two of seven) of normal volunteers who had a PMR, diazepam reduced it to a nonobservable level. Diazepam also had a significant attenuating effect on the a- and b-waves of the ERG; the magnitude of attenuation in normal volunteers, however, probably would not alter a clinical diagnosis based on ERG. These two findings together predict that individuals known to have a marked PMR may have the diagnostic risk associated with these specious artifacts reduced by receiving diazepam before clinical ERG studies are begun.
Neuropsychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, D.C. 20032.
M J
MJ
Jaffe
D W
DW
Hommer
D000328:Adult; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004596:Electroretinography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D003975:Diazepam