T7. ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY FOR MAJOR PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN MULTICENTRIC SITES

The retinal response to light assessed by electroretinography (ERG) has been recognized as a promising site of investigation for psychiatric disorders. Indeed, ERG anomalies were reported in major depression, schizophrenia and offspring of patients (1,2,3). Traditionally, it is performed with bulky equipment using a corneal electrode which may cause some discomfort. Recently an ambulatory portable device was proposed (RETeval; LKC Gaithersburg MD) along with a novel skin electrode allowing ambulatory non-invasive recordings to be performed anywhere. This device was recently introduced in the Lausanne-Geneva High Risk Cohort (4). Participants of the cohort are interviewed every three years over a mean duration follow-up of 12 years using a semi-structured Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (DIGS). The 15 min ERG is performed at the end of the interview at the research center (Cery hospital) or at the participant’s home. The device is also used in Canada where ERG was performed in 16 controls and 17 patients with bipolar disorder (BPD). A few schizophrenia patients (SZ) have been recruited both in Switzerland and Canada and the recruitment is still ongoing. Since the introduction of ERG in November 2017 in Lausanne, 33 people (54.5% women) agreed to participate that is 10 patients with BPD and 15 controls. Two thirds of the ERG were performed at home. A significant a-wave reduction and b-wave latency delay (both p=0.01) were observed in BPD when compared to controls in both Swiss and Canada cohorts. Moreover, controls and BPD from both cohorts did not differ respectively. We confirm high acceptance and feasibility of ERG use in our follow-up study. This portable non-invasive device render recording at the participant’s home possible. Even in a small sample, we were able to detect significant retinal anomalies in BPD in two continents suggesting some universality in the diagnosis. SZ results are on their way and may also enable to delineate these patients from BPD and controls. We hope that the discovery of ERG anomalies could shed new light onto the underlying pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. References: 1) Hébert M. et al. (2017) Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 75:10–5. 2) Hebert M. et al (2015) Schizophr Res 162, 294–5. 3) Hebert M. et al (2010). Biol Psychiatry 1;67(3):270–4. 4) Vandeleur CL. et al (2017). Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 52, 1041–58.

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