title: Aging-related changes in the multifocal electroretinogram.
abstract: The multifocal electroretinogram (MERG) was recorded in the central 36 degrees-diameter field in 26 young (19-30 yr) and 20 old (60-74 yr) adults in normal retinal health according to a fundus grading scale. The mean amplitude densities of the first-order and second-order responses in this retinal region were lower for old adults compared with young. The aging-related reduction of the first-order amplitude density was greatest at the fovea and decreased as a function of eccentricity. Similarly, the amplitudes of the first negative and positive peaks of the first-order MERG waveform were reduced with age, and the pattern of reduction followed a similar eccentricity dependency. The aging-related changes in the MERG waveform may be due to slowed temporal adaptation in the aged retina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0009, USA. jackson@eyes.uab.edu
authors.forename: Gregory R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: JulioDeLeon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Girkin
authors.forename: Carol E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rosenstiel
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owsley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004596:Electroretinography; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*