Abstract

DO.23.02

New therapeutical approaches in neuroprotection

Robert Rejdak
Tadeusz Krwawicz Chair of Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Medical University of Lublin, Poland; Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

A hallmark of glaucomatous optic nerve damage is retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. RGCs have a limited capacity to survive or regenerate an axon after injury. Degeneration of RGC often progresses despite lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) to acceptable or normal levels; it can also develop at normal or even low IOP on the basis of non-IOP-dependent risk factors. Therefore, a need exists for therapies limiting damage due to glaucoma that are independent of therapies that simply lower IOP. Recent progress in neurobiological research has led to a better understanding of the molecular pathways that regulate the survival of injured RGCs. Here we discuss a variety of experimental strategies based on available natural compounds, novel drugs and endogenous mechanisms that offer the possibility of neuroprotective activity.

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