Description
Glaucoma is a progressive neuropathy causing retinal ganglion cell loss and visual field defects, with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) as a major risk factor. Lowering IOP can slow glaucoma progression, but vision loss still occurs in some patients which led to the idea of neuroprotection in glaucoma , to preserve retinal ganglion cells and prevent apoptosis. This project investigates whether 500 mg/kg citicoline and 10 mg/kg vitamin K can protect retinal ganglion cell by altering the relationship between retinal ganglion cell structure and visual function in the mouse model of Optic Nerve Crush. Adult C57BL/6J mice underwent monocular right-eye crush, with the left eye serving as an internal control. Functional outcomes were assessed longitudinally using optomotor response and pattern electroretinography ,to assess how neuroprotection with citicoline and vitamin k alters the relationship between retinal ganglion cell structure and visual function such as contrast sensitivity, visual acuity. PERG amplitude and contrast sensitivity was analysed at multiple time points ,to compare the efficacy of citicoline and vitamin K as neuroprotective strategies. This study addresses a major challenge in glaucoma research about the lack of safe, effective neuroprotective therapies in glaucoma, to support the use of citicoline and vitamin K in ophthalmic pharmacotherapy.
Lay Abstract
Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, causing gradual vision loss and blind spots. High pressure inside the eye is a main cause, and drops or surgery can lower it to slow the damage. However, even with treatment, about 1 in 4 patients still lose vision in one eye, showing that pressure isn't the only problem.
This project tests if neuroprotective treatment citicoline (500 mg/kg) and vitamin K (10 mg/kg) can protect the retinal ganglion cells that detect light patterns and send visual signals to the brain through the optic nerve after optic nerve is injured. We used mice as model to replicate glaucoma by squeezing the right eye's optic nerve while leaving the left eye normal for comparison. Vision was checked over weeks using two tests: one tracks head movements to measure pattern recognition and detail vision and another measures eye electrical signals for nerve activity. The goal is to see if these neuroprotective treatments preserve vision better and to investigate which one works best to control glaucoma. This study addresses the challenge of safe ways to protect vision when the lowering fluid pressure inside the eye fails.
| Lay Title | studying how citicoline and vitamin k may help protect vision after damage to the optic nerve |
|---|---|
| Role | Master Student |