Neuroscience Research at MSU Produces Results That May Improve the Treatment of Glaucoma

August 10, 2000

Researcher Arthur Weber, Ph.D. at work in his lab.

Research at MSU suggests that a trophic factor known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), may have positive implications for the treatment of glaucoma. Arthur Weber, Ph.D., from the department of physiology, graduate student Hao Chen, and laboratory technician Judith McMillan have completed their first in a series of studies funded by the National Eye Institute and a grant to the department of neurology and ophthalmology from the Strategic Partnership Fund at MSU.In glaucoma, abnormally high pressure within the eye results in damage to the optic nerve—leading to a loss of ganglion cells in the retina. Currently, the disease is most often treated with eye drops that reduce intraocular pressure. While the approach is effective, especially in the disease's early stages, patients often experience further vision loss because many retinal ganglion cells do not fully recuperate from their initial injury.

Dr. Weber's team has been investigating ways to help injured nerve cells recover, and thereby preserve normal vision. Recent studies in rats have suggested that BDNF might be effective in reducing the number of retinal ganglion cells that die following injury to the optic nerve.

Arthur Weber, Ph.D., from the department of physiology, graduate student Hao Chen, and laboratory technician Judith McMillan

The group's data indicated that BDNF is an effective neuroprotectant in other models. The group also discovered a "ceiling" effect in which levels of BDNF above 30 micrograms resulted in a decrease, rather than an increase, in ganglion cell survival. However, the data also suggested that higher doses of BDNF are needed to preserve the normal proportion of large, medium, and small ganglion cells.Dr. Weber's group is currently investigating a number of related issues such as¨ Whether multiple injections of BDNF lead to greater retinal ganglion cell-retention¨ What the period is during which treatment is most effective¨ What the regulatory factors might be which cause the observed ceiling effect.Answers to these questions will provide a foundation for future studies aimed at determining the extent to which combination treatments with neuroprotectants and pressure-reducing substances mitigate or reverse the progression of vision loss that characterizes glaucoma and other optic nerve-related diseases.

By: Martin J. Furey III