ERG in Drug Safety Studies

-Dogs-

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to confirm the suitability of techniques and procedures used for the recording of ERGs in the authors' laboratory. A single intravenous administration with 1% aqueous solution of chlorpromazine hydrochloride, at a dose of 10 mg/kg, was carried out on 3 adult male beagles. Electroretinograms (ERGs) were sequentially recorded by the standard operation procedure that has been routinely used in the laboratory.

All the animals showed a common tendency toward an extension of the peak latency time and a decrease in amplitude for a- and b- waves, recovering 48 hours after administration.

The trial revealed clear changes in the ERG reflecting the pharmacological effect of chlorpromazine in 3 dogs except for a little individual difference, and therefore the technique and procedure employed were considered suitable for obtaining reproducible data in routine use. Better restraint methods need to be developed and prevention of interference from myoelectricity also needs to be studied.