[Effect of sildenafil citrate on the cortical visual responses].
OBJECTIVE
To study the possible effect of oral sildenafil citrate on the response of cortical visual cells to visual stimulation.


METHODS
Multiunit activity was recorded from cortical area V2 of one behaving monkey. Spatio-temporal receptive field maps were obtained by using a reverse cross correlation technique and white noise visual stimulation before and after oral administration of sildenafil citrate.


RESULTS
The receptive field maps showed a reduction in response latency after administration of sildenafil citrate.


CONCLUSIONS
Since sildenafil citrate is an inhibitor of retinal phosphodiesterase-6, an enhancement on light sensitivity in the photoreceptors is proposed as the cause of the observed reduction in response latency (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2002; 77: 241-246).
González
F
F
Departamento de Fisiología (Laboratorios "Ramón Domínguez"), Facultad de Medicina y Unidad de Retina Médica, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, España. ispaco@usc.es
Justo
M S
MS
Bermúdez
M A
MA
Gómez-Ulla
F
F
Pérez
R
R
D000818:Animals; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000187:drug effects*
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate