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Abstract #15542 Published in IGR 1-3
Effects of nicergoline on the retinal and cortical electrophysiological responses in glaucoma patients: a preliminary open study
Parisi V; Colacino G; Milazzo G; Scuderi AC; Manni GPharmacological Research 1999; 40: 249-255
PURPOSE: The retinal dysfunction and the delayed visual cortex responses shown by patients affected by glaucoma can be objectively assessed by pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and visual evoked potentials (VEP) recordings. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of nicergoline on the retinal function and on the visual cortical responses in glaucoma patients. METHODS: Sixty patients (mean age, 44.6±3.7 years) with open-angle glaucoma were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: NG group, in which 30 patients were treated with nicergoline (Cebran(TM), 2 cps day) for 30 days; and CG group, where 30 patients were not treated. Simultaneous recordings of PERG and VEP were performed in NG patients at the baseline, at 30 days after treatment with nicergoline (day 30), and at 45 days from the end of the treatment (day 75). PERG and VEP were recorded in CG patients at the baseline and after 30 and 75 days. The visual stimulus for recording PERGs and VEPs was a checkerboard whose elements subtended a visual arc of 60' and 15' with a 70% contrast, and alternated at a frequency of 2 Hz. RESULTS: At the baseline, none of the electrophysiological parameters observed in the NG group patients differed (p>0.05) from those of the CC group patients. At days 30 and 75, in the CG group patients the values of the PERG and VEP parameters were unmodified (p>0.05) with respect to the baseline. In the NG group patients, the 30-day treatment period with nicergoline induced a significant (p < 0.01) improvement of the PERG and VEP parameters. At day 75, none of the electrophysiological parameters in the NG Group differed significantly (p>0.05) from those at the baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with nicergoline induces an improvement of the retinal function and of the visual cortical responses in patients affected by glaucoma. This effect disappears within 45 days after the suspension of the treatment.
Dr. V. Parisi, Cattedra di Clinica Oculistica, Universita' di Roma 'Tor Vergata', Via Santa Maria Goretti 66, 00199 Roma; Italy
Classification:
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
