How glaucoma breaks connections in the retina
Retinal circuit disassembly in primate glaucoma
This research looks at how glaucoma damages the connections between nerve cells in the retina to help people with glaucoma keep vision longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11370883 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, scientists are using a rhesus macaque model that mimics human glaucoma to see which retinal nerve cell types lose their synapses first. They combine detailed anatomy, measurements of cell function, and gene-expression profiling to map how retinal circuits fall apart. The team brings together experts in primate vision, cellular imaging, and molecular analysis to compare these primate results with prior rodent findings. The goal is to identify early changes that could point to new diagnostics or treatments like neuroprotection, gene therapy, or cell-based restoration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This specific project does not enroll patients directly, but adults with glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure are the intended beneficiaries and could qualify for future related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People without glaucoma or whose vision loss is caused by conditions unrelated to retinal ganglion cell degeneration may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier detection of glaucoma-related nerve damage and guide new therapies to protect or restore vision.
How similar studies have performed: Rodent studies have consistently shown early synapse loss in glaucoma, but applying detailed connectivity and gene-profiling methods in primate retina is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ou, Yvonne — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ou, Yvonne
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.