title: A composite nature for the photopic b-wave of the human electroretinogram as evidenced by the use of the 60 Hz notch filter.
abstract: The impact of the 60 Hz notch (rejection) filter was examined in typical photopic electroretinograms recorded with two different bandwidths: 1-1000 Hz and 100-1000 Hz. The peak times of the major ERG components (a- and b-waves) are not modified by the line filter. The amplitude of the b-wave decreases by 30%, and the morphology of the ERG wave changes slightly. Segmental analysis of the ascending limb of the b-wave reveals that the sole reduction in the amplitude of its first step (from the a-wave trough to the peak of the first oscillatory potential) accounts for more than 70% of the overall reduction measured for the b-wave. Similar results are also found in ERGs recorded with the 100-1000 Hz bandwidth. The data suggests that the b-wave of the ERG should be considered as a composite of potentials rather than as a single potential.
mesh_terms: D004596:Electroretinography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans