Aggrecan and the brain 'nets' that close windows for vision change
Dissecting the role of aggrecan and perineuronal nets in visual plasticity
This work explores whether a brain protein called aggrecan and surrounding 'perineuronal nets' stop young brains from rewiring vision, which could matter for people with amblyopia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241551 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, researchers are focusing on why the brain becomes less able to change vision after childhood, a process tied to amblyopia. They will use animal models that mimic childhood vision loss, change aggrecan genetically, and look at visual behavior to see if sight can improve. The team will also record brain activity using electrodes and calcium imaging and study brain slices in the lab to pinpoint how aggrecan acts. These methods together aim to reveal whether targeting aggrecan or the surrounding nets could reopen plasticity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of amblyopia or persistent childhood-onset reduced vision would be the most relevant group for this line of work.
Not a fit: Patients whose vision loss is due to eye or retinal disease (for example retinal degeneration or optic nerve damage) rather than brain wiring changes are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to reopen brain plasticity and improve vision for people whose amblyopia is currently hard to treat.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies that remove or alter perineuronal nets have reopened plasticity in the brain, but translating those findings into human treatments has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgee, Aaron W — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Mcgee, Aaron W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.