Abstract
We have investigated the functional role of dopamine in the monkey retina by recording the retinal responses to flash stimulations before and after destruction of dopaminergic cells by intravenous injection of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). We evaluated specifically the oscillatory potentials (100 Hz-3KHz) of the electroretinogram. By day 47 after MPTP injection, a selective decrease of the amplitude of the first oscillatory potential was observed. At that time the animals had been receiving antiparkinsonian therapy since day 15. These results suggest that retinal dopaminergic neurons may play a role in the generation of the first oscillatory potential, and moreover, that each oscillatory potential should be considered individually.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Burns RS, Chiueh C, Markey SP, Ebert MH, Jacobowitz DM, Kopin IJ. A primate model of parkinsonism: selective destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra by N-methyl 4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6 tetrahydropyridine. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1983; 80: 4546–4550.
Chiueh CC, Markey SP, Burns RS, Johannesson JN, Jacobowitz DM, Kopin IJ. Neurochemical and behavioral effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in rat, guinea pig and monkey. Psychopharmacol Bull 1984; 20: 548–553.
Citron MC, Erinoff L, Rickman D. Modification of electroretinograms in dopaminedepleted retinas. Brain Res 1985; 345: 186–191.
Di Paolo T, Bédard P, Daigle M, Boucher R. Long-term effects of MPTP on central and peripheral catecholamine and indolamine concentrations in monkeys. Brain Res 1986; 379: 286–293.
Ehinger B. Biogenic monoamines as transmitters in the retina. In: Transmitters in the visual process, ed. Bonting SL. Oxford: Pergamon, 1976; 65–79.
Heynen H, Wachtmeister L, Van Norren D. Origin of the oscillatory potentials in the primate retina. Vision Res 25: 1985; 1365–1373.
Irwin I, Langston JW. II. Selective accumulation of MPP+ in the substantia nigra: A key to neurotoxicity. Life Sci 1985; 36: 207–212.
Kramer SC Dopamine: A retinal neurotransmitter. Retinal uptake, storage and light stimulated release of H3-dopamine in vivo. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1971; 10: 438–452.
Lachapelle P, Little JM, Polomeno RC. The photopic electroretinogram in congenital stationary night blindness with myopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1983; 24: 442–450.
Langston JW I. MPTP neurotoxicity: an overview and characterization of phases of toxicity. Life Sci 1985; 36: 201–206.
Langston JW, Ballard P, Tetrud JW, Irwin I. Chronic parkinsonism in humans due to a product of meperidine-analog synthesis. Science 1983; 219: 979–980.
Melamed E, Durst R, Frucht Y, Globus M. Differential effect of acute and chronic haloperidol administration on dopamine turnover in rat nigrostriatal and retinal dopaminergic neurons. European J Pharmacol 1983; 89: 279–282.
Neff NH, Mariani A, Hadjiconstantinou M. Chronic treatment of mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) results in a decrease of retinal dopamine and the appearance of lipofuschin-like material. Neurosci Abstracts 1985; 11: 427.
Nichols CW, Jacobowitz D, Hottenstein M. The influence of light and dark on the catecholamine content of the retina and choroid. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1967; 6: 642–646.
Ogden TE The oscillatory wave of the primate electroretinogram. Vision Res 1973; 13: 165–198.
Wachtmeister L, Dowling JE. The oscillatory potentials of the mudpuppy retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1978; 17: 1176–1188.
Wong C, Ishibashi T, Tucker G, Hamasaki D. Responses of the pigmented rabbit retina to MPTP, a chemical inducer of parkinsonism. Exp Eye Res 1985; 40: 509–519.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harnois, C., Marcotte, G. & Bédard, P.J. Alteration of monkey retinal oscillatory potentials after MPTP injection. Doc Ophthalmol 67, 363–369 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00143954
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00143954