Understanding how the eye adapts to cone cell loss
Synaptic and circuit mechanisms of compensation following loss of cone inputs in the mature retina
This research aims to understand how the eye's vision circuits adjust when light-sensing cone cells are lost, which could help with earlier diagnosis of retinal diseases.
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-11109588 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people can lose a significant number of cone cells in their eyes before they notice any vision problems, making early diagnosis of retinal diseases difficult. This project seeks to uncover the exact connections between how many cone cells are lost and how that affects specific vision pathways and behaviors. Researchers will look at how well a visual behavior works and the activity of certain nerve cells in the eye to understand these links. The goal is to find out which nerve cells are more vulnerable to cone cell loss and how the eye compensates.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with retinal diseases involving cone cell loss, or those at risk for such conditions, could eventually benefit from the knowledge gained.
Not a fit: Patients whose vision loss is not related to cone cell degeneration or the eye's compensatory mechanisms may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of retinal diseases and better ways to monitor treatment effectiveness.
How similar studies have performed: This research builds on existing evidence that some retinal nerve cells can be resilient to significant cone loss, but aims to rigorously establish the specific links and vulnerabilities.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunn, Felice a — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Dunn, Felice a
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.