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Prog Retin Eye ResJuly 2003311 citations

Effects of retinal ganglion cell loss on magno-, parvo-, koniocellular pathways in the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex in glaucoma.

Yücel Yeni H, Zhang Qiang, Weinreb Robert N, Kaufman Paul L, Gupta Neeru


AI Summary

Experimental glaucoma in primates showed widespread damage across all visual pathways (LGN, cortex), even in the unaffected eye, highlighting brain involvement beyond the retina.

Abstract

Glaucoma is a leading cause of world blindness, and retinal ganglion cell death is its pathological hallmark. There is accumulating evidence that glaucomatous damage extends from retinal ganglion cells to vision centers in the brain. In an experimental primate model of unilateral glaucoma, degenerative changes are observed in magnocellular, parvocellular, and koniocellular pathways in the lateral geniculate nucleus, and these changes are presented in relation to intraocular pressure and the severity of optic nerve damage. Neuropathological findings are also present in lateral geniculate nucleus layers driven by the unaffected fellow eye. Finally, there is information on changes in the visual cortex in relation to varying degrees of retinal ganglion cell loss. The implications of these findings for refining concepts regarding the pathobiology of progression, and the detection and treatment of glaucoma, are discussed.


MeSH Terms

AnimalsCell DeathGeniculate BodiesGlaucomaHumansNerve DegenerationOptic NerveRetinal Ganglion CellsVisual CortexVisual Pathways

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