THE present study investigated whether flupirtine attenuates the depre
ssion and enhances the recovery of the b-wave of the electroretinogram
(ERG) in response to retinal ischaemia. The ERG was recorded from pen
tobarbital-anaesthetized rats before, during and after transient (24 m
in) occlusion of both common carotid arteries. Flupirtine administered
20 min before ischaemia reduced the depression of the b-wave during o
cclusion and accelerated recovery during reperfusion. When given at th
e onset of ischaemia flupirtine led to attenuation of the reduction of
the b-wave during occlusion and to enhancement of the recovery during
reperfusion. The present results suggest that flupirtine provides pro
tection against ischaemic retinal dysfunction.