In this presentation, Anna Matynia, PhD explains the effect of normal aging and Alzheimer’s Disease on visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and pupillary light reflex as a possible early biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Rod, cone, and melanopsin-expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are highly conserved from mouse to human. Consequently, many visual functions are highly translatable from bench to clinic, and are thus ideal for evaluating retinal function in aging and neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer’s Disease. For example, ipRGCs have been shown to undergo early degeneration in mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease, as well in human post-mortem retinas compared to aged controls. Their contributions to visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and the pupillary light reflex can be differentiated in people and mice using behavioral assays that are non-invasive, amenable to repeated testing, with no to minimal collateral damage.
Learning Objectives:
- Rod, cone and melanopsin-expressing ipRGCs contribute to multiple visual functions, including contrast sensitivity function and the pupillary light reflex
- Specific visual functions can be differentially compromised in specific pathological conditions
- Behavioral measures of visual function can be used to discriminate specific photoreceptor dysfunction
Key Topics Include:
- Aging and neurodegenerative disease affect photoreceptors differentially
- Rod, cone, and melanopsin-expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) contributions to CSF and PLR
- Behavioral assays may be useful as early biomarkers in neurodegenerative disorders
Presenters
Associate Professor
University of Houston College of Optometry
Webinar Host
Striatech
