Very‑long‑chain fatty acids and retinal health
Elucidating the Role of Very-long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Retinal Health and Disease
This project looks at how special very‑long‑chain fats made in the retina help vision and how changes in them may contribute to macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11328690 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies unique very‑long‑chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC‑PUFAs) that the retina makes and the enzyme ELOVL4 that produces them. They use animal models (mice and zebrafish), manipulated diets, genetic models, and analyses of human donor eye tissue to compare VLC‑PUFA levels and n‑3/n‑6 ratios in healthy and diseased retinas. The researchers connect biochemical lipid changes to photoreceptor structure and function to understand how lipid imbalances can lead to retinal degeneration. Results are intended to point toward dietary or molecular approaches to help preserve photoreceptor health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited ELOVL4‑related Stargardt disease (STGD3), early or dry age‑related macular degeneration, or other photoreceptor degenerations would be the most relevant candidates for related studies or sample donation.
Not a fit: People whose vision loss comes from non‑retinal causes (for example optic nerve disease) or those with advanced neovascular (wet) AMD requiring anti‑VEGF injections may not directly benefit from these lipid‑focused findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform dietary guidance or lead to new treatments that help slow or prevent macular degeneration linked to lipid abnormalities.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human tissue studies have linked VLC‑PUFA levels to photoreceptor health, but translating those findings into proven clinical treatments for AMD has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernstein, Paul Steven — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Bernstein, Paul Steven
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.