Analysis of visual central nervous system using ferret glaucoma model

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09946
• 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: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Fujishiro Takashi 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 届出研究員 (60789600)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 緑内障 / フェレット / 外側膝状体 / 視覚野

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have succeeded in creating the ferret glaucoma model by injecting cultured conjunctiva into the anterior chamber of the ferrets for the first time in the world. Using this glaucoma model, we were able to elucidate that the neurological damage caused by glaucoma is not confined to the eyeball alone, but also affects the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex projecting from the glaucoma eye. Axonal damage to retinal ganglion cells and damage to visual center neurons and glial cell activation were confirmed using immunostaining techniques, but no significant association between the degree of intra-ocular pressure elevation and neuronal damage and glial cell activation could be identified. It was also possible to confirm that a decrease in metabolic activity occurred in the visual cortex of the cerebrum projecting from the glaucoma eye.

Free Research Field

緑内障

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回の我々が行った研究から、緑内障による眼球の神経障害は、眼球だけで発症するのでなく眼球から神経が投射する中枢神経系の外側膝状体、大脳の視覚野にまで障害が及ぶことがわかった。緑内障は高眼圧によって視神経に障害が起き、視野欠損を生じるものとされ、眼圧下降が唯一の治療方法である。しかし、視覚中枢神経系にまで神経障害が起きるということは、眼圧を下げる治療だけでなく視覚中枢神経系の保護が緑内障治療において重要であると確認でき、中枢神経における神経保護を目的とした新しい緑内障治療法の重要性を確認する重要な研究となった。