Comparison of spectral measures of period doubling in the cone flicker electroretinogram.

Purpose: Under certain conditions, the full-field flicker electroretinogram (ERG) of the cone system can show period doubling, such that the shape of the ERG waveform alternates from cycle to cycle. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stimulus temporal frequency and the amplitudes of the spectral components of the ERG that correspond to period doubling.

Method: ERGs were recorded from 10 visually normal subjects in response to full-field sinusoidal flicker presented at frequencies ranging from 12.5 to 100 Hz. Period doubling was apparent over the stimulus frequency range from 25 to 100 Hz and was quantified in terms of the amplitudes of spectral components of the ERG waveform that corresponded to half the stimulus frequency (f/2) and three and five times that frequency (3f/2 and 5f/2).

Results: At stimulus frequencies between 30 and 40 Hz, the amplitude of f/2 was significantly lower than either 3f/2 or 5f/2, which themselves did not differ significantly. At stimulus frequencies between 40 and 60 Hz, all three response components were equivalent in amplitude. At stimulus frequencies above 60 Hz, however, the amplitudes of 3f/2 and 5f/2 were reduced significantly compared to f/2.

Conclusion: There is a frequency-dependent relationship among the spectral components of the flicker ERG that correspond to period doubling. The amplitude of f/2 underestimates the magnitude of period doubling at stimulus frequencies between 30 and 40 Hz, whereas the amplitudes of 3f/2 and 5f/2 underestimate the degree of period doubling at stimulus frequencies above 60 Hz. The explanation for the frequency dependence of these spectral components remains to be resolved.