Journal article
Hypothesis - Vasoconstriction Contributes to Amaurosis Fugax
Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, Vol.9(1), pp.111-116
02/19/1989
DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.1989.15
PMID: 2910892
Abstract
Platelets play a critical role in the pathophysiology of amaurosis fugax. Emboli to retinal vessels apparently produce amaurosis but, in addition, we propose that augmented vasoconstrictor responses and vasospasm may contribute to amaurosis. In this study we tested the hypothesis that constrictor responses of retinal vessels to serotonin, which is released when platelets aggregate, are potentiated in experimental atherosclerosis. Blood flow to the retina was measured in normal and atherosclerotic cynomolgus monkeys. In normal monkeys, infusion of serotonin did not alter flow to the retina. In atherosclerotic monkeys, infusion of serotonin reduced retinal blood flow (in milliliters per minute per 100 g) from 66 ± 7 (mean ± SE) to 5 ±2. Infusion of serotonin in atherosclerotic monkeys abolished the retinal response to light. Thus, atherosclerosis greatly potentiates constrictor responses to serotonin in the retinal circulation and produces a profound but reversible impairment of retinal function. We propose that altered responses to vasoactive substances that are released by platelets may contribute to the pathogenesis of amaurosis fugax.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Hypothesis - Vasoconstriction Contributes to Amaurosis Fugax
- Creators
- Janet K. Williams - University of IowaG. L. BaumbachM. L. ArmstrongD. D. Heistad
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, Vol.9(1), pp.111-116
- DOI
- 10.1038/jcbfm.1989.15
- PMID
- 2910892
- NLM abbreviation
- J Cereb Blood Flow Metab
- ISSN
- 0271-678X
- Copyright
- Copyright © 1989, © SAGE Publications
- Grant note
- The authors would like to thank Donald Piegors, Bette Folmer, and Kristen Orgren for technical assistance, Dr. Hans Kolder for assistance with the electroretinograms, Dr. Abigail Brotherton for assistance with studies of platelet aggregation in vitro, Dr. Harold Adams for critical review of the manuscript, and Ms. Lola Boone for typing the manuscript. This work was supported by NRSA HL 07371, a Medical Investigatorship and Research Funds from the Veterans Administration, and by National Institutes of Health ASCOR HL 14230, Program Project Grants HL 14388 and NS 24621, and Research Grant HL 16066.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/19/1989
- Academic Unit
- Pathology; Nursing; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9983557693102771
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