Purpose: To compare visual evoked potential (VEP) components in normal individuals and those with long-term methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine use.
Methods: In this study, monocular pattern-reversal VEPs were recorded in 40 methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine users and 38 normal individuals. Visual stimuli were high-contrast (99%) checkerboard patterns at 15 and 60 min of arc with a reversal rate of 1.53 reversals per second.
Results: A significant difference was seen between the two groups for the P100 peak time for the 60 min of arc checks (p = 0.002, d = 0.75, 4.61% higher peak time in the addicted group) and the 15 min of arc checks (p = 0.004, d = 0.73, 4.78% higher peak time in the addicted group). However, other VEP components were not significantly different between the two groups.
Conclusions: The higher P100 peak time at both 15 and 60 min of arc in methamphetamine-dependent users reveals that VEPs are highly sensitive for the diagnosis of retinal and visual pathway lesions.
Keywords: P100 peak time; crystal methamphetamine; methamphetamine; visual evoked potentials.
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