Biomaterial Database

Neuroprotection for optic nerve disorders. 2010

Anne-Caroline Bessero, and Peter G H Clarke

Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK. anncaroline.bessero@uclh.nhs.uk

OBJECTIVE The concept that optic nerve fiber loss might be reduced by neuroprotection arose in the mid 1990s. The subsequent research effort, focused mainly on rodent models, has not yet transformed into a successful clinical trial, but provides mechanistic understanding of retinal ganglion cell death and points to potential therapeutic strategies. This review highlights advances made over the last year. RESULTS In excitotoxicity and axotomy models retinal ganglion cell death has been shown to result from a complex interaction between retinal neurons and Müller glia, which release toxic molecules including tumor necrosis factor alpha. This counteracts neuroprotection by neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor, which bind to p75NTR receptors on Müller glia stimulating the toxic release. Another negative effect against neurotrophin-mediated protection involves the action of LINGO-1 at trkB brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) receptors, and BDNF neuroprotection is enhanced by an antagonist to LINGO-1. As an alternative to pharmacotherapy, retinal defences can be stimulated by exposure to infrared radiation. CONCLUSIONS The mechanisms involved in glaucoma and other optic nerve disorders are being clarified in rodent models, focusing on retrograde degeneration following axonal damage, excitotoxicity and inflammatory/autoimmune mechanisms. Neuroprotective strategies are being refined in the light of the mechanistic understanding.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007259	Infrared Rays	That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum usually sensed as heat. Infrared wavelengths are longer than those of visible light, extending into the microwave frequencies. They are used therapeutically as heat, and also to warm food in restaurants.	Heat Waves,Heat Wave,Infrared Ray,Ray, Infrared,Rays, Infrared,Wave, Heat,Waves, Heat
D007429	Intraocular Pressure	The pressure of the fluids in the eye.	Ocular Tension,Intraocular Pressures,Ocular Tensions,Pressure, Intraocular,Pressures, Intraocular,Tension, Ocular,Tensions, Ocular
D009901	Optic Nerve Diseases	Conditions which produce injury or dysfunction of the second cranial or optic nerve, which is generally considered a component of the central nervous system. Damage to optic nerve fibers may occur at or near their origin in the retina, at the optic disk, or in the nerve, optic chiasm, optic tract, or lateral geniculate nuclei. Clinical manifestations may include decreased visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, impaired color vision, and an afferent pupillary defect.	Cranial Nerve II Diseases,Foster-Kennedy Syndrome,Optic Disc Disorders,Optic Disk Disorders,Optic Neuropathy,Second Cranial Nerve Diseases,Cranial Nerve II Disorder,Neural-Optical Lesion,Disc Disorder, Optic,Disk Disorder, Optic,Disorder, Optic Disc,Foster Kennedy Syndrome,Lesion, Neural-Optical,Neural Optical Lesion,Neural-Optical Lesions,Neuropathy, Optic,Optic Disc Disorder,Optic Disk Disorder,Optic Nerve Disease,Optic Neuropathies,Syndrome, Foster-Kennedy
D005901	Glaucoma	An ocular disease, occurring in many forms, having as its primary characteristics an unstable or a sustained increase in the intraocular pressure which the eye cannot withstand without damage to its structure or impairment of its function. The consequences of the increased pressure may be manifested in a variety of symptoms, depending upon type and severity, such as excavation of the optic disk, hardness of the eyeball, corneal anesthesia, reduced visual acuity, seeing of colored halos around lights, disturbed dark adaptation, visual field defects, and headaches. (Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed)	Glaucomas
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000975	Antioxidants	Naturally occurring or synthetic substances that inhibit or retard oxidation reactions. They counteract the damaging effects of oxidation in animal tissues.	Anti-Oxidant,Antioxidant,Antioxidant Activity,Endogenous Antioxidant,Endogenous Antioxidants,Anti-Oxidant Effect,Anti-Oxidant Effects,Anti-Oxidants,Antioxidant Effect,Antioxidant Effects,Activity, Antioxidant,Anti Oxidant,Anti Oxidant Effect,Anti Oxidant Effects,Anti Oxidants,Antioxidant, Endogenous,Antioxidants, Endogenous
D012165	Retinal Ganglion Cells	Neurons of the innermost layer of the retina, the internal plexiform layer. They are of variable sizes and shapes, and their axons project via the OPTIC NERVE to the brain. A small subset of these cells act as photoreceptors with projections to the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEUS, the center for regulating CIRCADIAN RHYTHM.	Cell, Retinal Ganglion,Cells, Retinal Ganglion,Ganglion Cell, Retinal,Ganglion Cells, Retinal,Retinal Ganglion Cell
D014451	Ubiquinone	A lipid-soluble benzoquinone which is involved in ELECTRON TRANSPORT in mitochondrial preparations. The compound occurs in the majority of aerobic organisms, from bacteria to higher plants and animals.	Coenzyme Q
D019001	Nitric Oxide Synthase	An NADPH-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of L-ARGININE and OXYGEN to produce CITRULLINE and NITRIC OXIDE.	NO Synthase,Nitric-Oxide Synthase,Nitric-Oxide Synthetase,Nitric Oxide Synthetase,Oxide Synthase, Nitric,Synthase, Nitric Oxide