Molecular Control of Optic Nerve Regeneration
Abstract
Objectives and Rationale: The optic nerve conveys precise information about the outside world from the eye to the brain. Unfortunately, like most pathways in the central nervous system (CNS), the optic nerve cannot grow back again if it is injured, and moreover, the cells that give rise to the nerve fibers (axons) that comprise the optic nerve, the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), soon die. Consequently, victims of traumatic nerve damage, as can occur on the battlefield or in civilian life, sustain life-long losses in vision. Recent research from the three collaborating investigators and other labs has identified some of the molecules that control the ability of RGCs to survive after their axons have been injured and that enable these cells to regenerate their axons. This research has led to treatments that enable a relatively small number of RGCs to regrow damaged nerve fibers from the eye to the brain, leading to a partial recovery of simple visual responses. The proposed studies will use a systematic approach to define the molecular changes that are associated with axon growth in three distinct conditions and then use gene therapy to determine to what degree altering the levels of these molecules in RGCs of mature animals will enhance axon regeneration and functional recovery above the small amount currently possible. Ultimate Applicability: This research will be of value to people who have sustained traumatic injury to the optic nerve on the battlefield or in civilian life. In the case of acute injuries, it is possible that this research could help improve outcome in 5-8 years. In addition, such regenerative therapies may prove able to restore vision in patients with other optic neuropathies including glaucoma, a disease very common in the Veteran population. Finally, research on the optic nerve has been widely used to gain insights into the factors that suppress or enhance nerve regeneration throughout the CNS, and therefore molecular mechanisms discovered here could have applicability to improving outcome after other types of CNS injury. Benefit to Service Members, Veterans, and/or Their Family Members: Much of our life depends on vision, including being able to navigate in one s home and outside, driving, recognizing objects, friends, family members and adversaries, reading, sports, social interactions, and more. The loss of vision disrupts one s productivity and sense of well-being, while also having significant costs to society in terms of lost productivity and the training that is needed to acquire new skills to adapt to the loss. Treatments that could help restore vision would be of immense benefit to victims of visual loss, their families, and society.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 2016
- Source ID
- W81XWH1610043
Entities
People
- Larry Benowitz
Organizations
- United States Army