TimmyH
Regenerating Neurons in Eyes
December 2nd 2008 08:39
Researchers stimulate the growth of new retinal cells in mice.
Cells in the retina of mice can be coaxed to create new neurons following an injury, according to new research from the University of Washington. This is the most definitive demonstration to date that such regeneration is possible, given the right cues, for a specific type of neuron in the inner retina of a mammal.
If researchers could spur the development of different types of new neurons in the living human eye, they might be able to replace cells that are lost in diseases like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Few or no treatment options are currently available for patients with these diseases.
"This is an excellent, clear demonstration that you can regrow cells of the inner retina," says Stephen Rose, chief research officer at the nonprofit Foundation Fighting Blindness.
The retina, which is located in the back of the eye, has an outer layer of cells that detect light and translate it into electrical signals. It also has inner layers, which process the signals and send them to the brain.
In degenerative disorders like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, outer-layer cells, called photoreceptors, break down in the early stages of disease, leading to loss of vision. Extensive research has focused on replacing these cells, in an effort to restore sight. In people with advanced disease or blindness, however, the inner cell layers may also break down or become disorganized and need to be rebuilt, says Rose.
"The outer retina is like the CPU, and the inner retina is like the motherboard," he says. "If I attach a new CPU to a dead motherboard, it won't do any good, no matter how great a CPU it is."
By Amanda Schaffer
Really Long Link
Cells in the retina of mice can be coaxed to create new neurons following an injury, according to new research from the University of Washington. This is the most definitive demonstration to date that such regeneration is possible, given the right cues, for a specific type of neuron in the inner retina of a mammal.
Retina revitalized: A regenerated amacrine cell, which is a type of cell found in the inner retina. The nucleus of the cell is labeled in red, while the rest is labeled in green.
If researchers could spur the development of different types of new neurons in the living human eye, they might be able to replace cells that are lost in diseases like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Few or no treatment options are currently available for patients with these diseases.
"This is an excellent, clear demonstration that you can regrow cells of the inner retina," says Stephen Rose, chief research officer at the nonprofit Foundation Fighting Blindness.
The retina, which is located in the back of the eye, has an outer layer of cells that detect light and translate it into electrical signals. It also has inner layers, which process the signals and send them to the brain.
In degenerative disorders like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, outer-layer cells, called photoreceptors, break down in the early stages of disease, leading to loss of vision. Extensive research has focused on replacing these cells, in an effort to restore sight. In people with advanced disease or blindness, however, the inner cell layers may also break down or become disorganized and need to be rebuilt, says Rose.
"The outer retina is like the CPU, and the inner retina is like the motherboard," he says. "If I attach a new CPU to a dead motherboard, it won't do any good, no matter how great a CPU it is."
By Amanda Schaffer
Really Long Link
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Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
If they perfect it, they should get the Nobel for Medicine I think!
cheers
fog