Visual function measured by reflex modification in rats with inherited retinal dystrophy.

J R Wecker; J R Ison

doi:10.1037//0735-7044.100.5.679

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PubMed · 3778632

Visual function measured by reflex modification in rats with inherited retinal dystrophy.

J R Wecker·J R Ison

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Abstract

Developmental changes in visual function were studied in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat with inherited retinal degeneration by examining the inhibition of acoustic startle reflexes by visual prestimuli. Compared with a congenic strain of nondystrophic rat, the RCS rats showed an increase in the interstimulus interval between the inhibitory prestimulus and the eliciting stimulus that produced maximal inhibition, a result suggesting a decrease in the speed of processing. The amount of inhibition also decreased over time, which suggests a progressive loss of visual function. Simultaneous presentation of auditory and visual prestimuli was used to demonstrate that the changes in inhibition were related to alterations in visual function and that auditory function was not impaired in these rats. The results show that reflex modification is a suitable test for evaluating visual dysfunction in rats.

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Acoustic Stimulation Age Factors Animals Neural Inhibition Photic Stimulation Rats Reflex, Startle Retinal Degeneration Vision Tests Vision, Ocular Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

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J R Wecker, J R Ison. 1986. Visual function measured by reflex modification in rats with inherited retinal dystrophy.. https://doi.org/10.1037/%2F0735-7044.100.5.679

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