title: Time-varying pulse trains limit retinal desensitization caused by continuous electrical stimulation.
abstract: An epiretinal prosthesis aims to restore functional vision in patients suffering from retinal degeneration caused by diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). These diseases result in the loss of photoreceptors but bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells survive at high rates and can be electrically activate to produce the sensation of light. Continuous application of biphasic stimulus pulses results in desensitization of the retina. In humans, this manifests as decreased brightness and increased stimulus thresholds. This study presents an in vivo model of retinal desensitization caused by continuous electrical stimulation and describes a novel stimulation pattern that limit desensitization.
authors.forename: Navya S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Davuluri
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Weiland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors