Articles tagged with Retina
Researchers have mapped changes to the retina that correspond to brain changes in Alzheimer's disease patients, opening a path to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments. The study found accumulation of toxic proteins in retinas of patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment, causing severe cell degeneration.
UVA scientists have discovered a new contributor to abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, which could lead to new treatments for macular degeneration and other vision loss conditions. The discovery identifies a key protein that determines VEGF levels, blocking it has reduced VEGF levels significantly without unwanted side effects.
A new nonhuman primate model of Usher syndrome has been confirmed, providing hope for the development of a treatment for this leading cause of blindness-deafness. The model, created using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, exhibits symptoms similar to those experienced by humans with the condition.
Researchers discover gene therapy ophNdi1 that boosts mitochondrial performance in retinal ganglion cells, potentially treating glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. The therapy shows protective effects in three models of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Researchers at Virginia Tech aim to understand the role of fatty acid deficiency in optic nerve hypoplasia. A recent grant supports studies on arachidonic acid supplementation as a potential treatment for the disease.
Low blood sugar levels trigger an increase in retinal cell proteins, leading to overgrowth of abnormal blood vessels and worsening diabetic eye disease. The study suggests that keeping glucose levels stable is crucial for preventing vision loss in people with diabetes.
A research team led by Dr. Eddie Ma Chi-him identified a therapeutic small molecule M1 that increases mitochondrial dynamics and sustains long-distance axon regeneration, restoring visual functions in mice. Regenerated axons elicited neural activities and survived for four weeks after optic nerve injury.
Researchers have created a technique that enables visualization of the retina and choroid with high resolution at distinct depths, revealing new insights into eye structure. The technology, called STOC-T, makes it possible to image all primary layers of the choroid for the first time.
In a mouse model of laser-induced CNV, RORα expression was highly increased in the choroidal/RPE complex post-laser, while loss or inhibition of RORα worsened CNV with increased lesion size and vascular leakage. RORα negatively regulates pathological CNV development by modulating angiogenic response and inflammatory environment.
Mount Sinai researchers discovered that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may be caused by two distinct types of deposits in the retina: drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). Early intervention with vitamin supplements can slow down drusen formation, while SDDs pose a greater threat to advanced AMD.
Researchers found that a one-year increase in retinal age was associated with a 10% higher risk of incident kidney failure over 11 years. Retinal age gap, a non-invasive biomarker based on retinal imaging, may help identify people at elevated risk for kidney failure.
Scientists discover that visual cells in the human retina may be mechanically transported out of the retina before dying, leading to neurodegeneration. The discovery uses miniature human retinas grown in the laboratory and found that pharmacological agents can prevent extrusion.
A new study suggests that human retinal endothelial cells have a protective system against hyperglycemia, which delays the onset of diabetic retinopathy. Prolonged exposure to high glucose actually promotes cell recovery and resistance to damage.
A new study from Mount Sinai Hospital finds a strong association between age-related macular degeneration and severe forms of heart disease, including heart failure, heart attacks, and stroke. The study highlights the importance of increased screening for eye disorders to diagnose undetected heart disease.
Researchers discovered that cephalopods develop their large nervous systems using similar mechanisms as vertebrates, with a focus on the retina. This study provides insight into the developmental process of these intelligent creatures and could lead to new discoveries about human brain development.
Fruit flies have evolved to adjust their vision by moving the retinas inside their eyes, similar to human eye movements. This allows them to track moving objects and maintain visual resolution despite having fewer photoreceptors than humans.
Researchers at the National Eye Institute have discovered a mechanism by which an area of the protein RPE65 converts vitamin A into a form usable by photoreceptor cells. This finding provides better understanding of RPE65's function and will inform potential treatments for vision disorders linked to gene mutations.
Researchers found that increasing arginase 1 availability helps alleviate unhealthy responses and interrupt destructive inflammation in diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. This is achieved by reducing L-arginine levels, which in turn reduces inducible nitric oxide synthase activity.
Researchers have developed a new DNA nanotechnology-driven method called Light-Seq that enables the analysis of gene expression patterns in hard-to-access cells within intact tissues. This approach overcomes limitations of existing spatial transcriptomics methods, allowing for deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and biology.
Researchers have developed a simplified and fast optoretinography approach to measure retinal function, potentially accelerating the development of new treatments for eye diseases. The technique can collect data from three healthy subjects in just ten minutes and has been demonstrated to be reproducible.
Researchers at Nanoscope developed functional retinal organoids with photoreceptors and RPE cell layers, a key model for age-related macular degeneration. They also created an organoid model that is highly reproducible for high-throughput drug screening.
A study from Linköping University shows that individuals with type 1 diabetes should keep their mean long-term sugar level below 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) to avoid serious damage. The risk of eye- and kidney complications increases as the level increases.
Researchers used Neuropixels probes to measure the activity of synaptically connected retinal and midbrain neurons, revealing a mosaic-like neural connection. The study provides new insights into visual processing and strengthens our understanding of blindsight.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have tested color-coded fundus autofluorescence as a supportive novel diagnostic method for posterior uveitis. The results indicate that this ratio can be very characteristic and helpful in differentiating various posterior uveitis subtypes.
A new study has partly restored the function of retina's cone receptors in two completely colorblind children using gene therapy. The treatment has been shown to activate previously dormant communication pathways between the retina and brain, drawing on the plastic nature of the developing adolescent brain.
A MedUni Vienna study has identified retinal layer thinning as a reliable prognostic marker for multiple sclerosis severity. The analysis revealed that thinner retinas are associated with increased risk of permanent disability and more aggressive treatment is recommended.
A WVU researcher is studying corollary discharge circuits in fruit flies to better understand how the brain integrates sensory information and coordinate movement. The goal of this research is to shed light on human disease and human performance, with potential applications for improving fighter pilot safety.
Researchers developed a non-invasive ocular imaging method to detect flavoprotein fluorescence in the eye, indicating mitochondrial oxidative stress. This technique may predict glaucoma progression earlier than current methods, with similar sensitivity to visual field changes.
A new study successfully introduces healthy photoreceptor cells derived from stem cells into the retinas of dogs, marking significant progress toward a cell-based therapy for blindness. The treatment enables cells to survive and form connections with existing retinal cells, paving the way for a regenerative medicine approach.
Researchers have found correlations between retina and brain structures altered in Alzheimer's disease in healthy subjects at risk. These findings suggest the retina may provide information on brain state and changes, paving the way for new diagnostic tools.
A new study may help develop therapies to slow vision loss in pigmentary retinopathy by understanding how the visual system adapts to photoreceptor death. The research found that the visual pathway becomes hyperactive during early RP, which could lead to therapeutic protection and restoration of vision.
A recent NIH study found that the loss of 'youth' protein pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) may drive aging in the retina. The study showed that mice lacking PEDF experienced gene changes similar to those seen in age-related macular degeneration, highlighting a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers identified Srrm3 as a master regulator gene for photoreceptor cells in the retina, which is critical for visual function. The study found that misregulation of alternative splicing and microexons can lead to devastating health impacts, including vision loss.
A study found that patients with a specific form of age-related macular degeneration are at significant risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Researchers discovered a strong association between the disorder's subretinal drusenoid deposits and high-risk vascular diseases.
Researchers identified distinct circuits in the eye that drive vision and non-vision functions, such as regulating pupil size and sleep/wake cycles. Rod photoreceptors were found to play a crucial role in controlling pupillary light responses and circadian rhythm regulation.
Researchers at A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology developed a bio-functional thermogel that prevents retinal scarring in pre-clinical models. The thermogel modulates cellular behavior to prevent scar membrane formation, offering a novel therapy for proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
Researchers found that retinal cells are more susceptible to Ebola virus infection than iris cells, which could lead to uveitis diagnosis and treatment. This discovery highlights the importance of monitoring retinal cells during acute viral infections to identify patients at high risk.
New research from University of South Australia and Flinders University uses retina recordings to identify distinct signals for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing a potential biomarker for each condition. Children with ADHD showed higher overall energy, while those with ASD sho...
Researchers at TU Dresden have developed a method to produce high numbers of human photoreceptor cells that can incorporate into partially degenerated mouse retinas and restore daylight perception. The incorporated photoreceptors developed characteristics of normal photoreceptors and could detect daylight in mice with damaged eyesight.
The device can instantly recognize what it sees, like automatic descriptions of pictures taken by a camera or phone, and outperforms the eye in the number of wavelengths it can see. It's uniqueness comes from its ability to integrate three different operations into one, making it many times faster than current technology.
Researchers have developed a new protocol for differentiating human embryonic stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which can be used to treat age-related macular degeneration. The study shows that the protocol produces a pure population of RPE cells that can continue maturing after transplantation, paving the way for...
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a dedicated neural pathway in the retina that can detect even the dimmest shadows possible. This breakthrough could lead to unprecedented resolution in probing visual diseases.
A team of scientists led by Professor Barbara Pierscionek has made significant progress in developing an anti-cataract drug. Lab trials showed improvement in refractive index profiles and lens opacity in 61% and 46% of cases, respectively.
Researchers revived photoreceptor cells in human macula, responding to bright and dim lights. The study restores communication between retinal cells, transforming brain and vision research.
A new study maps the distinct differences among cells in the retina's retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which nourishes and supports photoreceptors. The research identifies five subpopulations with varying levels of disease sensitivity, opening doors to more precise cell and gene therapies for specific degenerative eye diseases.
A NIH-funded study found that patients with retinal vein occlusion experience significant visual acuity gains, but require long-term monitoring and treatment. After five years, many participants retained an average of three lines of improvement in their visual acuity.
A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology analyzed the incidence of vision loss caused by retinal vein or artery blockage in 430,000 patients after a COVID-19 infection diagnosis. The research suggests that COVID-19 may be associated with an increased risk of this condition.
A study published in Ophthalmology identified the genetic spectrum behind foveal hypoplasia, a rare condition affecting vision development. The research combined data from over 900 cases across the globe and revealed relationships between genetic defects and the degree of arrested foveal development.
A new multimodal eye scanner combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Raman spectroscopy enables the detection of molecular information in the internal structure of the eye. This technology aims to detect neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, at an early stage, improving treatment options.
Developers are integrating optical coherence tomography (OCT) machines into sensor packages to create fast and accurate LiDAR systems. These advancements enable robots and cars to see the world in a more natural and safe manner, improving interaction with humans.
Researchers detect Sars-CoV-2 mRNA in human retina organoids, indicating infection of retinal cells. The virus also replicates in these cell types, with implications for 'Long Covid' pathologies.
Experts have published guidelines for psychophysiological research involving pupil measurements, summarizing the physiology of the pupil and providing recommendations on data examination. The guidelines also discuss psychological phenomena that modulate pupil reactivity.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University identified the strip1 gene as essential for keeping retinal ganglion cells alive. The gene suppresses Jun-mediated apoptosis, promoting correct neural circuit formation in the retina. This finding opens promising new avenues for treating diseases like glaucoma.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that restores night vision in dogs with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), a condition affecting the ON bipolar cells. The treatment enables dogs to navigate mazes in dim light and has a lasting therapeutic effect, paving the way for potential human treatments.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discover that Antabuse helps improve sight in mice with retinal degeneration by reducing hyperactive retinal cells. The treatment may one day lead to better therapies for humans with inherited diseases like retinitis pigmentosa.
Researchers found a strong connection between retinal layer thickness and brain volume, suggesting retina assessments as a potential biomarker for brain atrophy. Thinner retinal layers correlated with reduced brain white matter and hippocampus volume.
Researchers have developed an ultrasonic retinal prosthesis that can stimulate the blind retina to transmit signals to the brain, providing a promising solution for vision restoration. The device uses ultrasound waves to activate small groups of neurons in the eye, similar to how light signals activate a normal eye.
Scientists identify a specialized zone in Muller glia cells called the citrullination bunker that sequesters damaged proteins, preserving vision. Chronic engagement of this process may lead to retinal degeneration, but inhibiting it could delay or prevent disease.
Researchers found that mitochondria act as microlenses to focus light on outer segments where it's converted into nerve signals, shedding new light on the retina's optical properties. This discovery has potential clinical implications for detecting retinal diseases.
Researchers have discovered that sigma 1 receptor plays a crucial role in protecting retinal ganglion cells from damage in glaucoma. The protein enables astrocytes to secrete supportive factors for neurons, improving their survival and function.