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Ophthalmology Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Ophthalmology

Loss Of Displaced Starburst Amacrine Cells In A Rat Glaucoma Model, C A. Cooley-Themm, Q Ameel, David M. Linn, Cindy L. Linn Apr 2017

Loss Of Displaced Starburst Amacrine Cells In A Rat Glaucoma Model, C A. Cooley-Themm, Q Ameel, David M. Linn, Cindy L. Linn

Peer Reviewed Articles

Acetylcholine (ACh) release by starburst amacrine cells (SACs) has been implicated in the production of retinal waves during early retinal development. Inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release by SACs is known to be involved in directional selectivity in the mature retina. However, the role of SAC release of ACh in the adult developed mammalian retina is not entirely understood. Some evidence suggests a neuroprotective effect on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) acting through alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) present in RGCs. If ACh released by SACs is neuroprotective to RGCs, it would follow that this cholinergic transmission might be compromised in glaucoma …


Prevention Of Glaucoma-Induced Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss Using Alpha7 Nachr Agonists, P J. Birkholz, C A. Gossman, M K. Webster, David M. Linn, Cindy L. Linn Mar 2016

Prevention Of Glaucoma-Induced Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss Using Alpha7 Nachr Agonists, P J. Birkholz, C A. Gossman, M K. Webster, David M. Linn, Cindy L. Linn

Peer Reviewed Articles

In this study, the neuroprotective effect of various nicotinic alpha7 acetylcholine receptor agonists in an in-vivo model of glaucoma using adult Long Evans rats was analyzed. Glaucoma-like conditions were induced in the eyes of Long Evans rats after injection of hypertonic saline into episcleral veins to create scar tissue and increase the animal’s intraocular pressure. This procedure produced significant loss of retinal ganglion cells within one month and was associated with an increase of intraocular pressure. Using this model system, various alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7 nAChR) agonists were applied at different doses as eye drops to the right eye …