Abstract | BACKGROUND: Neuroprotective therapy for glaucoma can be defined as treatment of the recalcitrant disease via direct modification of the molecular mechanism involving retinal ganglion cell death. I and my collaborators, at the dawn of the neuroprotective era, elaborated and conducted the following investigations in order to pursue our final goal, i.e., substantial improvement of the quality of life of glaucoma patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: IOP-independent prognostic factors exist in glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Glaucomatous optic neuropathy can be stabilized by IOP-unrelated therapy like calcium-channel blockers, at least in a subset of the disease. Modification of the apoptosis mechanism can protect retinal ganglion cells from damage caused by optic neuropathy in the rat models. All of the present studies suggest that neuroprotective therapy will probably become the treatment of choice in the near future for glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
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Authors | T Yamamoto |
Journal | Nippon Ganka Gakkai zasshi
(Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi)
Vol. 105
Issue 12
Pg. 866-83
(Dec 2001)
ISSN: 0029-0203 [Print] Japan |
PMID | 11802458
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Neuroprotective Agents
- Piperazines
- Pyridines
- iganidipine
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Topics |
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Calcium Channel Blockers
(therapeutic use)
- Electroretinography
- Glaucoma
(drug therapy, pathology, physiopathology)
- Humans
- Neuroprotective Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Optic Nerve Diseases
(drug therapy, pathology, physiopathology)
- Piperazines
(therapeutic use)
- Pyridines
(therapeutic use)
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Retinal Ganglion Cells
(cytology)
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