Flash visual evoked potentials and electroretinograms in migraine

Possible changes in flash visual evoked potentials (F-VEPs) and electroretinograms (ERGs) during migraine without aura (MO) were investigated. This study was carried out in a group Of 22 patients with MO during the headache period (group I), a group Of 26 patients with MO during the headache-free period (group 2), and 24 sex- and age-matched controls. A complete routine ophthalmologic examination, F-VEPs, and ERGs were performed on all subjects. Ophthalmologic examinations of all subjects were normal. No difference was found between the groups in mean latencies and amplitudes of VEP-P2 and ERG-rod responses. However, the wavelet index of ERG-oscillatory potentials (OPs) was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 and the control group (p = 0.02). Migraine headache decreased the wavelet index of ERG-OPs. This effect may be associated with the depletion of serotonin during the migraine headache period.