Description:
- Vision restoration and optic nerve repair
- Opthalmology research
Abstract
USC researchers developed a technique that uses electrical fields (EFs) to promote optic nerve regeneration. In a rat model, researchers applied EFs for 10 or 30 days after optic nerve injury. Their findings show that EF treatment significantly increased the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and promoted axon regeneration. Notably, 30 days of EF treatment results in full-length optic nerve regeneration and partial recovery of visual function. These results suggest that EF application could be a promising therapeutic approach for restoring vision in patients affected by advanced optic nerve diseases.
Benefit
- Potential therapeutic solution for optic nerve diseases
- Promotes survival of RGCs
- Induces and directs full-length axon regeneration in the optic nerve
- Partially restores visually function
Market Application
More than 64 million people worldwide suffer from blindness as a result of diseases that damage the optic nerve by targeting retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. A technique that could stop or reverse this process could prevent or even cure millions of cases of blindness. Current genetic strategies utilizing viral vectors have shown moderate success, but they have limitations in efficacy and safety. Thus, there remains a need for low-risk and effective therapies that not only promote RGC survival but also direct axon regeneration.
Publications
https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2783225
Other
Stage of Development
- Tested in vivo in a rat model
- Results validated via histologic, behavioral, and electrophysiological assays
- Available for exclusive and non-exclusive license