Dopamine Blockade Has No Effect on the Human Flash ERG

Dopaminergic neurotransmission has been shown to modulate retinal processing in animal experiments. In humans, dopamine is found in interplexiform cells. Generalized disturbances of central nervous system dopaminergic function are associated with abnormal contrast sensitivity and delayed pattern visual evoked potentials. These visual system disturbances have been attributed to defects in retinal dopaminergic activity. We have previously shown that retinal function, as measured by the flash ERG (FERG), is normal in Parkinson's disease, a dopamine deficiency (1982). The current study shows that neither acute nor chronic administration of dopaminergic receptor blocking agents (with blockade of 01 , 02, or both receptors) has any significant effect on the FERG.