New treatments for advanced age-related macular degeneration
Official title: A new class of wet AMD therapeutics
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11142093 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a new treatment using ketone bodies might help people with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by stopping the growth of harmful blood vessels in the eye, and it will also see how these ketones work with current treatments to improve eye health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $377,500 |
| NIH project number | 7R01EY034247-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11142093 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with advanced age-related macular degeneration, particularly those experiencing choroidal neovascularization.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage age-related macular degeneration or those without CNV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new class of therapeutics for advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that can lead to permanent blindness. The study will explore how ketone bodies can suppress the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye, a process known as choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Researchers will investigate the mechanisms behind this effect, including the role of immune cells in regulating inflammation. The approach includes testing the effectiveness of ketone metabolites alone and in combination with existing treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for preventing vision loss in patients with advanced AMD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using metabolic approaches to treat neovascular conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pearsall, Elizabeth — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Pearsall, Elizabeth
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.