INTERACTIONS OF X RAYS AND LIGHT IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE ELECTRORETINOGRAM

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Exptl. Eye Res.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0014-4835(63)80006-8· OSTI ID:4645768

Bachofer, C S; Wittry, S E

Under proper conditions, x rays can induce an electroretinogram (ERG) in the vertebrate retina, similar in some respects to the ERG induced by light. X rays in sufficiently high doses damage the retina and impair the production of the ERG, so the doses used were below the level at which immediate damage could be detected. Provision was made for delivering to the eye either flashes or continuous exposures of light or of x rays, or of the two simultaneously to compare the ability of the retina to respond to these two types of stimulus. The ability of the retina to recover completely from short flashes of x rays at different frequencies of stimulation was confirmed. This adaptation differed from that observed in another experiment in which x rays and light were delivered concomitantly and partial adaptation was observed. Flashes of x rays delivered to the retina during exposure to light and flashes of light delivered to the retina during exposure to x rays revealed a pattern of inhibition followed by adaptation. Thus, in these two situations, exposure to light or exposure to x rays, the modes of adaptation are not completely parallel. In the first case, the exposure to light immediately blocks the ability of the retina to produce an ERG in response to x-ray flashes, but over a period of 1-2 min the retina partially regains its ability to produce an ERG. No matter how long the illumination lasts, the adaptation is only partial; a max ERG response to x-ray flashes can never be elicited during light exposure. In the case of exposure to x rays, the adaptation required to produce an ERG in response to light flashes follows a different pattern. Immediately after the beginning of the x-ray exposure, it is possible to elicit an ERG in response to a light flash, but this ERG is always considerably reduced in amplitude. Over a period of approximates 1 min the amplitude increases slightly, and then begins a gradual decline. As the period of x-ray exposure continues, damage to the retina begins to manifest itself and interferes with the experiment. It is concluded that the interaction between x rays and photoreceptors differs in some fundamental way from the interaction between light and photoreceptors. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Notre Dame, Ind.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-035507
• OSTI ID: 4645768
• Journal Information: Exptl. Eye Res., Journal Name: Exptl. Eye Res. Vol. Vol: 2
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMALS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY
EYES
LIGHT
NERVOUS SYSTEM
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
RECORDING SYSTEMS
RECOVERY
X RADIATION