Glaucomatous optic neuropathies (GONs) form a group of clinically similar eye diseases, which are characterized by progressive optic nerve fiber degeneration and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), resulting in irreversible blindness. Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is currently the only treatment to prevent disease progression.

Inflammation Process

Inflammation process is known to contribute to neurological disorders. Using a ocular hypertension mouse model induced by laser and a OHT model characterized by axonal regeneration of RGC axons, a novel approach to induce axonal regeneration of damaged RGCs, we aim to unravel the role of these mediators and receptors of the inflammation in RGC survival and axonal outgrowth.

Loss of RGCs

Loss of RGCs, the accompanying degenerative and inflammatory processes as well as their regenerative capacities will be evaluated by morphological and functional analyses in deficient mice.

Mechanisms Underlying Neurodegeneration

These studies will advance our knowledge on the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in the eye and on ways to induce neuroprotection and axonal regeneration of RGCs. As such, this research project may significantly improve the visual prognosis of our ageing population that is increasingly suffering from blinding diseases.