Electroretinogram (ERG) to Evaluate the Retina Using Mouse Models

Abstract

Electroretinogram (ERG) is a sensitive and useful tool for the measurement of the retina’s electrical response to flash stimuli. It provides a functional evaluation of the photoreceptors and downstream associated retinal cells. Similar to those conducted on humans, mouse ERGs include the amplitudes of a- and b-waves as well as the implicit time from those ERGs. Applications of ERGs include identification of retinal phenotypes, measurement of retinal function (at one and various time points), and evaluation of treatment efficacy. However, there are some differences between the manifestation of disease in patients as compared to mouse models that should be taken into consideration when implementing mouse ERGs. Herein, this chapter will introduce how to perform and obtain mouse ERGs.