ERG signal analysis using wavelet transform

Abstract

The wavelet analysis is a powerful tool for analyzing and detecting features of signals characterized by time-dependent statistical properties, as biomedical signals. The identification and the analysis of the components of these signals in the time–frequency domain, give meaningful information about the physiological mechanisms that govern them. This article presents the results of the wavelet analysis applied to the a-wave component of the human electroretinogram. In order to deepen and improve our knowledge about the behavior of the early photoreceptoral response, including the possible activation of interactions and correlations among the photoreceptors, we have detected and identified the stable time–frequency components of the a-wave, using six representative values of luminance. The results indicate the occurrence of three frequencies lying in the range 20–200 Hz. The lowest one is attributed to the summed activities of the photoreceptors. The others are weaker and at low luminance one of them does not occur. We relate them to the response of the rods and the cones whose aggregate activities are non-linear and typically exhibit self-organization under selective stimuli. The identification of the stable frequency components and of their times of occurrence helps us to shine light about the complex mechanisms governing the a-wave. The present results are promising toward the assessment of more refined model concerning the photoreceptoral activities.