Protecting and restoring the eye's nerve cells to save sight in glaucoma
Mechanisms of Adaptive Remodeling and Their Therapeutic Potential in Glaucoma
This research develops ways to protect and repair the retinal nerve cells that carry vision for people with glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249665 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use mouse models and genetic tools to see how retinal ganglion cells (the nerve cells that send visual signals) and supporting astrocyte cells change when eye pressure rises. They discovered two early protective responses: astrocyte networks move metabolites to stressed areas, and affected neurons increase their excitability by reorganizing sodium channels. The team manipulates proteins like connexin-43 and neuron excitability to find which changes help cells survive. The aim is to turn these adaptive responses into drug targets that could preserve or restore vision.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma—especially those who continue to lose vision despite standard eye-pressure treatments—would be the primary candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose vision loss is from non-glaucoma eye diseases or who already have complete optic nerve loss are unlikely to benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent vision loss in glaucoma by protecting or repairing retinal nerve cells beyond lowering eye pressure.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown similar protective remodeling in the retina and optic nerve, but translating these findings into human therapies remains at an early, mostly untested stage.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Calkins, David J. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Calkins, David J.
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.