Researchers reconstructed an ancient virus to deliver gene therapies, targeting liver, muscle, and retina. The discovery could lead to safer and more potent treatments for various diseases.
Researchers at Mass Eye and Ear discovered that the alternative complement pathway exacerbates photoreceptor cell death after injury, but blocking it can protect photoreceptors. Inhibition of this pathway offers a new therapeutic target to prevent initial photoreceptor loss.
Researchers developed a wearable collision warning device to help patients with peripheral vision loss avoid collisions. The device gave auditory warnings only when users approached obstacles, reducing collisions by 37% and improving mobility performance.
A new study by Mass Eye and Ear surgeons found that professional singers experience no impairment in their voices after thyroid surgery using a neural monitoring system. The research showed 100% return to performance rate and mean time to performance was 2.26 months, with vocal fatigue being the most affected parameter.
A new study suggests that bicarbonate modifies the visual signal generated by rod and cone photoreceptors, leading to improved tracking of moving objects while slightly reducing sensitivity to light. The researchers hope to explore the potential of controlling bicarbonate levels in the eye to slow or prevent eye diseases.
Researchers found salicylates reduce vestibular schwannoma cell viability and proliferation without affecting healthy nerve cells. The study's results suggest salicylates as promising pharmacotherapies against vestibular schwannomas, which can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
Scientists have discovered that blocking the Notch pathway enables cochlear progenitor cells to proliferate and regenerate hair cells, potentially leading to new treatments for hearing loss. The study reveals a new function of Notch signaling in limiting proliferation and regeneration potential of postnatal cochlear progenitor cells.
The Genetic Eye Disease (GEDi) test, developed by Massachusetts Eye and Ear, is a comprehensive genetic test for inherited eye disorders. It includes all known genes associated with these conditions and has been shown to be 98% accurate in detecting genetic variants, outperforming whole exome sequencing.
A study by Mass Eye and Ear found that blast-related ear injuries caused significant morbidity in Boston Marathon bombing survivors. The researchers reported high rates of hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness-related quality of life impairment among the patients.
Researchers have identified new properties in microbes causing conjunctivitis, enabling the bacterium to stick to and damage the eye surface. The discovery may lead to the development of a new vaccine to prevent this infection.
Researchers found a link between residential geography, time spent in the sun, and XFS risk. Wearing sunglasses for summer hours reduced odds of XFS by 2%.
A novel mutant mouse model, NRV2, has been developed to study retinal neovascularization, a condition characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. The researchers found that NRV2 mice show spontaneous retinal depigmentation and neovascularization, which mimic the early clinical stages of RAP disease in humans.
Researchers found that dietary iodine intake was inversely related to central foveal swelling in RP patients with CME. This finding suggests that an iodine supplement could help limit or reduce retinal swelling in these patients.
Using a molecule called ABCB5, researchers identified limbal stem cells in deceased donors' tissue and grew fully functional human corneas in mice. This breakthrough could restore vision for individuals with damaged eyes due to injury or disease, revolutionizing the field of regenerative medicine.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids can regulate choroidal angiogenesis and vascular leakage by modulating micro-environmental immune cell recruitment. This mechanism suggests a unique pathway for disease resolution and potential therapeutic applications in age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers developed a game that trained both mice and humans to enhance their ability to discriminate soft sounds in noisy backgrounds. Trained subjects showed improved speech processing skills, even in high levels of background noise.
Two Harvard Medical School faculty members, Patricia D'Amore and Joan Miller, have been recognized with the 2015 Proctor Medal and Mildred Weisenfeld Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology, respectively. Their groundbreaking research on vascular growth and development has led to significant advancements in anti-angiogenic therapies, imp...
A prospective cohort study found that higher total folate intake was associated with a lower risk for exfoliation glaucoma (EG)/suspected exfoliation glaucoma (SEG). The results showed a trend of reduced EG/SEG risk with higher folate intake, particularly from supplements. This supports a possible causal role of homocysteine in EG/SEG.
Researchers found that drivers with hemianopia had lower detection rates for pedestrians on the side of their field loss due to inadequate scanning patterns. These individuals often failed to scan the entire intersection or scanned too little, increasing the risk of accidents.
Researchers have designed a system-on-chip that could enable fully implanted cochlear implants, restoring hearing in individuals with profound loss. The internal unit would be wirelessly rechargeable and require lower power sound processing.
A study by Mass Eye and Ear researchers found significant plasticity in the visual system after extended blindness, leading to improvements in contrast sensitivity tests. The findings suggest that the critical period for vision development may be longer than previously thought.
Researchers found a significant inverse association between aspirin use and vestibular schwannoma growth in a retrospective series of 689 people. Aspirin intake may inhibit tumor growth, providing a potential therapeutic role for this anti-inflammatory medication.
Dr. Jason I. Comander has received a $250,000 Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award to study patients with inherited retinal degenerations, including retinitis pigmentosa. The award aims to develop techniques for high-throughput functional characterization of human genetic variation and mutation in retinitis pigmentosa.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital has awarded Christina Marsica Grassi a $30,000 fellowship to investigate sterile vitritis in patients with artificial corneal implants. The research project aims to improve understanding of immune responses to prosthetic devices and develop better treatments for this condition.
A study published in Ophthalmology found that open globe injuries increase the risk of retinal detachment, particularly among older patients with poorer visual acuity. Researchers developed a new scoring system to predict which patients are at higher risk, which may help prevent or identify and repair retinal detachment more quickly.
Researchers identify azithromycin as a potential therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction, leading to improved treatment options for dry eye disease. The study suggests that topical azithromycin could directly stimulate the function of human meibomian gland epithelial cells.
A new drug-eluting contact lens has been developed to deliver latanoprost, a common glaucoma medication, continuously for a month. The lens was designed with materials approved by the FDA and achieved comparable concentrations to daily topical treatment in animal studies.
A study by Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School found that preoperative vocal cord dysfunction affects LRN electrophysiologic activity in thyroid surgeries. In some cases, malignant invasion of the RLN is associated with preserved electrophysiologic activity when vocal cord function is maintained.
A multi-center study showed that peripheral prism glasses significantly outperformed sham devices in helping patients with hemianopia avoid obstacles during everyday walking. After six months, 41% of patients continued to wear the real glasses, reporting improved navigation in various environments.
Digital photography shows promise as a tool to detect retinoblastoma in its earliest stages. A study found that analyzing family photographs can identify leukocoria, a symptom of the disease.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers discovered that higher brain levels can accurately predict sound source location from electrical activity in a small population of neurons. The findings have implications for designing devices to improve hearing in noisy environments, such as restaurants or with cochlear implants.
A study published in Nature Communications found that brief, reversible hearing loss during childhood can disrupt the processing of sound in the brain, leading to persistent hearing deficits. Researchers identified two critical periods after hearing onset that regulate how sounds from each ear are fused into a coherent representation.
Researchers develop a technique using smartphones to capture high-quality fundus images, aiding in the diagnosis of eye diseases. The method uses inexpensive apps and readily available instruments, making it accessible for smaller practices and third-world countries.
A new mouse model suggests that overexpressing the Isl1 gene can protect hair cells from degeneration and promote survival after loud noise exposure. This finding has implications for treating age-related and noise-induced hearing loss in humans.
Researchers used whole genome sequencing to identify unique mutations and a previously undescribed disease gene NEK2 associated with retinitis pigmentosa. The study highlights the importance of rare structural DNA variations in Mendelian diseases.
A study published in Human Molecular Genetics found that the complement system plays a critical role in early macular degeneration. The researchers used mice genetically engineered to have an inherited form of the disease and found that turning off the complement system prevented the disease from progressing.
A team of researchers at Mass Eye and Ear has created the most comprehensive description of gene expression in the human retina. The study identified over 30,000 novel exons and more than 100 potential new genes that were not previously known to be expressed in the retina.
Researchers found that prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) can cause upper and lower eyelid drooping, hollowing of the inferior periorbital fat pads, and levator muscle dysfunction in glaucoma patients. The study suggests reevaluating PGA use for new patients to prevent vision loss.
A team of researchers has successfully developed a method to breach the blood-brain barrier using the nasal lining, allowing for higher molecular weight drug delivery to the central nervous system. This breakthrough opens up new treatment options for neurodegenerative and CNS diseases affecting millions of people worldwide.
Researchers have discovered that the surface of the eye produces 'lubricin,' a substance similar to joint lubricant, reducing friction between cornea and conjunctiva. This finding holds promise for treating conditions like dry eye disease, postmenopausal vaginal atrophy, and xerostomia.
Researchers found that topical anakinra significantly reduced dry eye symptoms, eliminating corneal staining and improving signs of ocular surface disease. The treatment was well-tolerated and effective in reducing dry eye symptoms six times more than the current standard treatment.
A systems biology approach predicts the ocular tropism of a newly identified human adenovirus based on genomic and bioinformatics analysis. The study identifies a unique deletion in the viral capsid, suggesting potential for severe ocular infection.
Researchers found that Ranibizumab reduced the bioactivity of vitreous from patients and experimental animals with PVR, protecting rabbits from developing this disease. The study suggests a novel prophylactic approach to neutralize VEGF-A for managing diseases.
The study reveals that the efferent system plays a crucial role in mitigating cochlear neuropathy caused by moderate noise exposure. Researchers demonstrated that individuals with healthy efferent systems are less susceptible to difficulty hearing in noisy environments.
Scientists have successfully regenerated sensory hair cells in an adult mammalian ear using a drug, resulting in partial recovery of hearing in mice. The breakthrough holds promise for future therapeutic applications to reverse deafness in humans.
Scientists have developed two novel model systems for human corneal endothelium, enabling reliable study of HCEnC cells in health and disease. The new model systems, HCENC-21 and HCEnC-21T, mimic the critical characteristics and functionalities of the tissue in the eye.
A recent study published in JAMA found that administering dexamethasone to children before tonsillectomy did not significantly increase post-operative bleeding. The researchers tested the hypothesis that dexamethasone would result in a 5% higher rate of bleeding events compared to placebo, but the results showed no significant difference.
A groundbreaking study has identified the mode of death of cone photoreceptor cells in an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa. The receptor interacting protein (RIP) kinase pathway is found to be involved in cone degeneration, and a deficiency of RIP kinase reduces cone loss.
Researchers from Massachusetts Eye and Ear have isolated the elusive human gene NMNAT1, which causes Leber congenital amaurosis, a rare but devastating form of early-onset blindness. The discovery is a significant step towards developing sight-saving gene therapy.
Dr. Joseph Ciolino, a Mass. Eye and Ear ophthalmologist, has received the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Career Development Award to support his translational projects in keratoprosthesis and ocular drug delivery. The award aims to attract young physicians and scientists to eye research.