Rodent electroretinography: Methods for extraction and interpretation of rod and cone responses

Abstract

The flash electroretinogram (ERG) represents a serial ensemble of neural responses that can be used to objectively evaluate retinal function on a layer-by-layer basis. In this review, the seminal concepts of Granit are developed within the modern context to demonstrate how the ERG waveform can be decomposed to isolate the activity of individual neural populations and their circuitry. The contribution of rods and cones to the ERG waveform can be precisely defined with simple methods that yield the veridical cone response, which allows identification of rod-isolated components. This knowledge will afford an enhanced capacity to understand retinal development and ageing as well as to interpret ..