Analysis of the role of AMPK in the retina for the development of a novel treatment for atrophic age-related macular degeneration

• Project/Area Number: 18K09457
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Hirasawa Manabu 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 訪問講師 (80365345)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 小澤 洋子 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 特任准教授 (90265885)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2020)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
• Keywords: 網膜 / 加齢黄斑変性 / 老化 / 代謝 / 網膜光障害 / 酸化ストレス / AMP活性化プロテインキナーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Dry type of age-related macular degeneration is an untreatable blinding disease. There is no approved treatment worldwide. In the current study, we focused on energy metabolism in the retina and showed a proof of concept that sufficient energy supply may rescue the retina from degeneration.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

萎縮型加齢黄斑変性には、世界的に治療法が無く、そのメカニズムにも不明な点が多い。そこで本研究には、医学的な病態解明の一端を果たした点で学術的意義があり、さらに世界初の治療法開発の可能性を示した点で社会的意義があった。