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Glaucoma, apoptosis, and neuroprotection.

Publication ,  Journal Article
McKinnon, SJ
Published in: Curr Opin Ophthalmol
April 1997

The demise of the retinal ganglion cell represents the final common pathway of glaucomatous vision loss. Various studies demonstrate that ganglion cells die by the mechanism of apoptosis in conditions such as experimental animal models of glaucoma and optic nerve transection, and in human glaucoma. Apoptosis is a basic cell death mechanism noted in a number of neurodegenerative conditions. It constitutes a genetically coded "suicide" program activated when cells are no longer needed or have been seriously damaged, and is typified by rapid phagocytosis without inflammation. These cells demonstrate characteristic morphological changes on electron microscopy: nuclear chromatin condensation, compaction of cytoplasmic organelles, and membrane blebbing. Neurotrophin withdrawal and excitotoxic neurotransmitters have been implicated in apoptosis in ganglion cells damaged by glaucoma. Understanding the cellular and molecular biological events involved in ganglion cell death may lead to novel approaches to the treatment of glaucoma.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Curr Opin Ophthalmol

DOI

ISSN

1040-8738

Publication Date

April 1997

Volume

8

Issue

2

Start / End Page

28 / 37

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Retinal Ganglion Cells
  • Optic Nerve
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Humans
  • Glaucoma
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Cell Survival
  • Blindness
  • Apoptosis
  • Animals
 

Citation

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McKinnon, S. J. (1997). Glaucoma, apoptosis, and neuroprotection. Curr Opin Ophthalmol, 8(2), 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1097/00055735-199704000-00006
McKinnon, S. J. “Glaucoma, apoptosis, and neuroprotection.Curr Opin Ophthalmol 8, no. 2 (April 1997): 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1097/00055735-199704000-00006.
McKinnon SJ. Glaucoma, apoptosis, and neuroprotection. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 1997 Apr;8(2):28–37.
McKinnon, S. J. “Glaucoma, apoptosis, and neuroprotection.Curr Opin Ophthalmol, vol. 8, no. 2, Apr. 1997, pp. 28–37. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/00055735-199704000-00006.
McKinnon SJ. Glaucoma, apoptosis, and neuroprotection. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 1997 Apr;8(2):28–37.

Published In

Curr Opin Ophthalmol

DOI

ISSN

1040-8738

Publication Date

April 1997

Volume

8

Issue

2

Start / End Page

28 / 37

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Retinal Ganglion Cells
  • Optic Nerve
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Humans
  • Glaucoma
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Cell Survival
  • Blindness
  • Apoptosis
  • Animals