Articles tagged with Retina
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have successfully restored vision in rats with severe retinal degeneration through cell transplantation. The study demonstrates that donor cells can integrate into the retina and generate nearly normal visual activity in the brains of blind animals.
Two studies using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) reveal altered retinal blood vessels in patients with Alzheimer's disease, even before symptoms appear. Researchers hope this new method will enable early detection and treatment of the condition.
Researchers are using lab-grown mini retinas to understand the connection between the eye and brain, with a focus on restoring vision in people with damaged retinal ganglion cells. The study found that a protein called Netrin-1 significantly increased axon outgrowth from these cells.
Researchers at UMass Amherst used an eye-tracker to study jumping spiders and found that the principal eyes rely on an adjacent set of eyes, known as anterior lateral eyes, to track moving stimuli. This integration is unusual in the animal kingdom.
Research reveals distinct molecular pathways underlying nearsightedness and farsightedness, providing framework for new treatment options. Myopia and hyperopia develop through different eye growth mechanisms, with potential for drug targets identified.
A case report presents a patient with progressive drusen accumulation, which was halted by a resveratrol-based nutraceutical (Longevinex). The patient's vision improved after adopting the nutraceutical regimen, whereas statin drugs showed only modest success. A dietary approach to retinal health is proposed as primary consideration.
Comparing nocturnal and diurnal rodents helps scientists understand a human eye disease. Researchers found that cone-dominant animals have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may explain why rod cells are not affected by mutation to PUFA synthesis genes.
High-velocity neck manipulation has been linked to damage to the blood vessels in the retina, resulting in abnormal bleeding inside the eye and potentially causing vision loss. The case report presents a rare complication of chiropractic care leading to multiple preretinal hemorrhages.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have found a link between high doses of sildenafil citrate and irreversible damage to color vision. The study used advanced imaging technology to visualize the structural changes in the retina caused by excessive use of the drug.
In low light, retinal cells sensitive to upward movement change their behavior, firing on detecting any kind of movement. This adaptability helps the brain sense movement and may aid in designing implantable retinal prosthetics.
The team aims to develop a modular and scalable interface system that can modulate and monitor large-scale activities in the nervous system, with potential applications for pain management, epilepsy, and neurological disorders. They plan to advance bioluminescence imaging instead of fluorescence to enable long-term cortical imaging wit...
T. Michael Redmond's work deduced the molecular biology of the retina and led to the development of Luxturna, a gene therapy approved by FDA for treating Leber congenital amaurosis, an inherited genetic disorder causing severe vision loss.
A new platform called INSiGHT was used to examine over 100 genes in the retina, identifying 16 key retinal regulatory genes. Of these, 15 were previously unknown and nine have been linked to human diseases.
A study explores the use of optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) to analyze retinal changes in people with preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found certain retina alterations were more common among those with preclinical AD, suggesting potential for non-invasive early detection.
Scientists have detected signs of Alzheimer's disease in the eyes of patients who showed no symptoms, using a non-invasive technique called optical coherence tomography angiography. The study found that patients with elevated levels of Alzheimer's proteins had significant thinning in the center of their retinas.
Duke University researchers have developed a handheld probe that can image individual photoreceptors in the eyes of infants, allowing for early detection of eye diseases and brain-related traumas. The new technology uses adaptive optics and is much smaller and faster than previous systems, making it ideal for imaging young children.
Scientists developed a flexible, high-density artificial retina using 2D materials that mimics the human eye. The device has shown promising results in laboratory and animal studies, and could potentially restore sight to millions of people with retinal diseases.
A new study has found that the thinning of the retina is linked to the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a substance that helps control movement. This discovery may lead to a simple eye scan being used to detect Parkinson's disease in its earliest stages.
Researchers have reversed congenital blindness in mice by changing supportive cells in the retina called Müller glia into rod photoreceptors. The new technique integrates Müller glia-derived rods into the brain's visual pathway, enabling mice to regain functional vision.
A UCI researcher has received a $4.8 million CIRM grant to develop a stem cell-based retina therapy for treating retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. The therapy aims to transplant sheets of stem-cell derived retina into the back of the eye, potentially restoring vision.
A team of scientists developed a computer model that can predict the outcome of eye diseases by simulating retinal circuitry and measuring its effects. The study shows that a single element of the retinal circuitry can lead to a variety of effects, and the model accurately reproduces changes observed in experiments.
A study found that children with lazy eye and crossed eyes took approximately 28% more time to complete a multiple-choice answer sheet than their peers without eye conditions. The researchers note that the limitations of this observational study, such as relying on parental reports for dyslexia criteria.
Researchers developed a portable eye function test to diagnose schizophrenia faster and more accurately. The study found that the device detected reduced electrical activity in the retina of participants with schizophrenia.
Researchers found that bipolar cells can grow new branches and reestablish selective connectivity with photoreceptors after an injury. This discovery provides hope for therapeutic strategies to replace lost photoreceptors and restore color vision in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers at Princeton University have created detailed maps of neurons using a quarter-million video game players, discovering six new neuron types. The Eyewire Museum showcases the intricate beauty of neural circuits, providing a valuable resource for neuroscientists worldwide.
A new study identifies specific characteristics of Ebola retinal lesions, providing clues on how the virus travels to the retina and causes damage. Researchers found unique retinal scars in 15% of Ebola survivors with reported eye symptoms after recovery.
Houston Methodist researchers developed a lab-on-a-chip technology that models human neural networks to study retinal diseases and potential treatments. The NN-Chip can quickly screen drugs for damaged neuron and retinal connections, offering new hope for treating conditions like macular degeneration.
Researchers have developed a tiny, simple photoactive film that converts light impulses into electrical signals, stimulating neurons and potentially restoring sight to blind people. The technology uses cheap and widely-available organic pigments and has been successfully tested in experiments with non-functioning retinas.
A team of researchers has developed a glowing contact lens that reduces the retina's oxygen demands at night, potentially preventing diabetic retinopathy. Early testing shows promising results, with rod cell activity reduced by up to 90 percent when worn in the dark.
A novel algorithm has been proposed to simulate the color appearance of objects under chromatic illuminants, addressing the fundamental question of human color perception. The algorithm successfully simulated differences in color appearance for #theDress image, which sparked debate over its colors online.
Researchers found that microglia in the retina can repopulate themselves and re-establish their normal organization and function after being nearly eliminated. The discovery could lead to new therapies for controlling inflammation and slowing progression of rare retinal diseases.
Researchers found that the primate brain quickly and efficiently shifts attention with each eye movement in a well-synchronized manner. This synchronization allows for optimal processing of relevant stimuli across saccades. The study's findings have implications for understanding disorders like schizophrenia and visual neglect.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that Müller glia play a crucial role in preserving retinal synapses and preventing vision loss in macular degeneration. The research suggests that Müller glia are an important therapeutic target for treating degenerative eye diseases.
Researchers successfully deciphered the origin of repopulated microglia in the brain and retina, revealing that they are solely derived from residual microglia after acute depletion. This study provides insights for regenerative medicine and sheds new light on the origins and maintenance of microglia in the retina.
The NIH-led AMD Ryan Initiative Study (ARIS) will follow 500 people over five years to learn more about the natural history of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers aim to identify biomarkers of disease progression and develop therapies to halt its progression.
The National Eye Institute is seeking innovative approaches to create functional human retina prototypes using stem cells. The goal is to develop 'mini-retinas' that can replicate the complexity of the human retina, enabling the study of underlying causes of retinal diseases and testing new drug therapies.
A $2.2 million grant will fund research into genetically controlled breaks in the external limiting membrane, which could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies for ESCS and other retinal diseases. The study aims to understand how these breaks contribute to disease progression.
A new compound developed by Sylentis can penetrate the retina to treat age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy with ophthalmic drops. The drug blocks the formation of new blood vessels and has shown efficacy in animal models, offering a promising alternative to painful injections.
Researchers have obtained a detailed view of a scallop's visual system, which is strikingly similar to a reflecting telescope. The complex arrangement of up to 200 eyes allows the scallop to achieve spatial vision through a layered mirror structure that reflects specific wavelengths of light.
Researchers have developed nanosponges that can absorb and neutralize toxins secreted by bacteria causing intraocular infections. These engineered nanoparticles, consisting of a polymeric core surrounded by natural red blood cell membranes, demonstrated effectiveness in protecting the retina from damage in animal models.
African clawed frog Xenopus laevis study reveals that contrasting visual patterns affect the optokinetic reflex. The level of contrast determines motion perception efficiency, with brightly lit structures against a darker background allowing for better tracking.
Optic nerve hypoplasia is a leading cause of childhood blindness in developed nations, and researchers have discovered the biological mechanism behind it. The condition affects brain growth during development, particularly with the CASK gene, which helps provide architectural support for neuronal communication.
Scientists have discovered a new type of cell in the eye of deep-sea fish that enables them to see in twilight conditions. This finding opens up new avenues of research into how animals adapt to extreme environments and challenges existing theories about photoreceptor cells.
Researchers have shown that gene therapy can reprogram cells at the back of the eye to become light sensitive, potentially reversing blindness. In a study, mice blind from retinitis pigmentosa regained vision and recognized objects in their environment after receiving melanopsin gene therapy.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) awarded $90,000 to a team led by Erin Lavik for their innovative approach to creating a living model of the human retina. The award aims to develop next-generation models to study blinding diseases and test therapies.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that specific neurons in the retina specialize in detecting different ranges of light intensity, allowing the brain to infer overall illumination levels. This complex system involves 'non-image' vision cells that function even in people with blindness.
Researchers found patients with FTD showed thinning of outer retina compared to control subjects. The degree of retinal thinning was worse in those with lower cognition scores.
Scientists at Ohio State University found a possible biological explanation for the unusual clarity of vision during the recent total solar eclipse. The presence or absence of a protein in the retina called a GABA receptor enhances night vision on sunny days but disappears at night.
A team of biologists has found that glia, previously regarded as passive support cells, are crucial to nerve-cell development in the brain. The study reveals that fundamental questions about brain development can only be understood when accounting for glial contributions.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai and NeuroVision LLC have developed an experimental optical imaging system that detects retinal beta-amyloid, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study found a 4.7-fold increase in retinal plaque burden in patients with Alzheimer's compared to controls.
Researchers developed a noninvasive eye scan to detect Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms appear, revealing amyloid-beta deposits and toxic proteins in the retina. The findings offer new hope for early detection and disease monitoring, with the potential to intervene and change the course of the disorder.
Researchers successfully regenerated functioning retinal cells in adult mice using the Ascl1 gene, a breakthrough that could lead to treatments for retinal damage caused by trauma, glaucoma, and other eye diseases. The discovery builds on previous research in zebrafish, which have a remarkable ability to regenerate damaged tissue.
Harvard Medical School researchers studied chicken embryos to understand the formation of high-acuity spot in the retina, which enables crisp daytime vision. They found that suppression of retinoic acid plays a crucial role in this process.
Researchers found long-term retinal injury and inflammation after blast exposure, even without detectable brain damage. The retina may serve as a sensitive indicator of low-level blast injury, helping identify individuals at risk of visual impairment.
Scientists at The University of Queensland discovered that dendrites in the retina's nerve cells play a critical role in decoding images. The study reveals that dendritic processing enables the retina to convert and refine visual cues into electrical signals.
Researchers discovered that direction-selective ganglion cells in the retina sense their owner's motion through space by detecting radial optical flow. This allows the brain to integrate information from visual and vestibular systems to sense rotation and maintain image stabilization.
The accumulation of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs) in the retina triggers oxidative stress, impairing defense mechanisms and leading to neuronal dysfunction. New therapeutic approaches targeting neurotrophic factors may offer potential for regenerative effects on retinal ganglion cells.
Researchers from Magdeburg University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong found that electrical stimulation can preserve visual neurons from cell death after injury, but it induces a fast disconnection of dendritic tree. This may protect the neurons from toxic excitation after brain damage.
Researchers found that impaired autophagy and lysosomal degradation lead to photoreceptor cell death in CLN5 deficient mice, mirroring human NCL diseases. The study suggests non-invasive retinal examinations could serve as biomarkers for neurological diseases.
A synthetic, soft tissue retina developed by an Oxford University student offers fresh hope to visually impaired people. The study uses biological, synthetic tissues and could transform the bionic implant industry and treat degenerative eye conditions like retinitis pigmentosa.