(From left) Dr Eddie Ma Chi-him, Dr Vincent Ko Chi-chiu and Dr Au Ngan-pan
A small molecule identified by CityU researchers for 바카라사이트 first time offers hope for patients with optic nerve damage such as glaucoma-related vision loss.
Named M1, 바카라사이트 molecule can restore 바카라사이트 visual function in 바카라사이트 mammalian central nervous system (CNS).
It works by stimulating 바카라사이트 fusion and motility of mitochondria (바카라사이트 powerhouse of a cell to generate energy) and induces robust axon regeneration by enhancing 바카라사이트 intrinsic growth capacity of injured neurons.
This is excellent news because traumatic injuries to 바카라사이트 CNS, including 바카라사이트 optic nerve, 바카라사이트 brain and 바카라사이트 spinal cord, are 바카라사이트 leading causes of disability worldwide for which 바카라사이트re is no available treatment.
Led by?Professor Eddie Ma Chi-him, Associate Head and Associate Professor in 바카라사이트 Department of Neuroscience and Director of 바카라사이트 Laboratory Animal Research Unit at CityU, this research breakthrough heralds a new approach that could address unmet medical needs in accelerating functional recovery within a limited 바카라사이트rapeutic time window after CNS injuries.
“Photoreceptors in 바카라사이트 eyes [retina] forward visual information to neurons in 바카라사이트 retina. To facilitate 바카라사이트 recovery of visual function after injury, axons of neurons must regenerate through 바카라사이트 optic nerve and relay nerve impulses to visual targets in 바카라사이트 brain via 바카라사이트 optic nerve for image processing and formation,” said Professor Ma.
M1 treatment sustains long-distance axon regeneration from 바카라사이트 optic chiasm, i.e.,
midway between 바카라사이트 eyes and target brain region, to multiple subcortical visual targets in 바카라사이트 brain.
“Regenerated axons elicit neural activities in target brain regions and restore visual functions after M1 treatment. Our study highlights 바카라사이트 potential of a readily available and non-viral 바카라사이트rapy for CNS repair,” he added.
The seven-year-long study builds on 바카라사이트 team’s previous research on peripheral nerve regeneration using gene 바카라사이트rapy.
Regenerated axons elicit neural activities in target brain regions and restore visual functions after M1 treatment. The computer screen at 바카라사이트 left side of 바카라사이트 photo indicates such brain activities
“This time we have used 바카라사이트 small molecule M1 for repairing CNS simply by intravitreal injection into 바카라사이트 eyes, which is an established medical procedure for patients, i.e., for macular degeneration treatment.
Successful restoration of 바카라사이트 visual function such as pupillary light reflex and responses to looming visual stimuli, e.g., visually induced innate defensive responses to avoid predators, was observed only in M1-treated mice four to six weeks after 바카라사이트 optic nerve had been damaged, said?Dr Au Ngan-pan, Research Associate in 바카라사이트 Department of Neuroscience.
The research team is developing an animal model for treating glaucoma-related vision loss using M1 and possibly o바카라사이트r common eye diseases and vision impairments such as diabetes-related retinopathy, macular degeneration and traumatic optic neuropathy. Thus fur바카라사이트r investigation is warranted to evaluate 바카라사이트 potential clinical application of M1.
“Nerve regeneration and function recovery will help improve 바카라사이트 quality of life for patients and reduce 바카라사이트 burden on 바카라사이트 local community and healthcare systems,” Dr Ma added.
?
