How glaucoma damages the optic nerve
Pathogenesis of Glaucomatous Optic Nerve Damage
Looking at whether calming harmful cell responses in the optic nerve can help people with glaucoma keep their vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11131268 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work studies the cells that support and surround the optic nerve head, especially astrocytes and microglia, using mouse models and donated human glaucoma eyes. Researchers focus on junctions where these support cells meet the sclera and on signaling pathways such as Rho-kinase (ROCK) that translate mechanical stress into cell responses. They will test how altering those pathways, including using a drug (NLY01) that blocks harmful microglial-driven astrocyte changes, affects nerve cell survival. The team combines tissue studies and laboratory experiments to look for ways to protect retinal ganglion cell axons from pressure-related damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma, particularly those with early or progressive optic nerve damage, are the most likely candidates to be relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without glaucoma or those with very advanced, irreversible optic nerve loss are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that protect optic nerve cells and help preserve vision in people with glaucoma beyond lowering eye pressure.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human-tissue studies, including work from this team, suggest that targeting optic nerve head cells and pathways like ROCK can protect retinal ganglion cells, but conclusive clinical proof in people remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quigley, Harry Alan — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Quigley, Harry Alan
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.