Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate the effect of nicergoline (an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist) on choroidal hemodynamics and visual function in humans. Methods: Fifteen healthy persons (27.3 8.9 years, 12 male, 3 female) were recruited for this randomized, cross-over double blind placebo controlled study. Indocyanine green (ICG) scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) angiography was performed on a randomly chosen eye at baseline and two hours after administration of the assigned treatment. Treatments included 30 mg nicergoline, 60 mg nicergoline, or placebo. SLO flow measurements were recored using a Rodenstock SLO (SLO 101, Rodenstock GmbH, Munich Germany). Visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) were also measured by ETDRS logmar chart and CSV 1000 respectively. Baseline and post-drug values were compared by ANOVA. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between blood flow and visual function. <0.05 was regarded as significant. Results: Acute administration of nicergoline did not significantly effect choroidal circulation or visual function compared to placebo. However, both CS and VA correlated significantly with ICG duration and slope (p≤0.59) for both 30 mg and 60 mg. Conclusion: A statistically significant correlation between choroidal filling time and CS was demonstrated. This suggests possible associations between peripapillary and perimacular hemodynamics with central visual function.
Keywords: 345 choroid • 514 pharmacology • 620 visual acuity