Neuroprotectors in Post Glaucoma Optic Neuropathy
Journal Title: Nepal Journal of Neuroscience - Year 2007, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Neuroprotection is the mechanisms and strategies used to protect against neuronal injury or degeneration in the Central Nervous System (CNS) following acute disorders (e.g. stroke or nervous system injury/trauma) or as a result of chronic neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis). The goal of neuroprotection is to limit neuronal dysfunction/death after CNS injury and attempt to maintain the highest possible integrity of cellular interactions in the brain resulting in an undisturbed neural function. There is a wide range of neuroprotective agents used in many neurodegenerative disorders including cerebrovascular disorders, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and ischemic optic neuropathy as well as retinal degeneration. Currently, glaucoma is recognised as an optic neuropathy and selective death of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) is the hallmark of glaucoma, which is also associated with structural changes in the optic nerve head. The goal of neuroprotection in optic neuropathy (glaucoma) treatment is to employ agents that prevent or delay apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and facilitate regeneration of already damaged cells. The ganglion cell death in glaucoma due to apoptosis is a normal biologic process that initiates the death of cells through preprogrammed genetic signals. Several causes of ganglion cell apoptosis in glaucoma have been discovered, including deprivation of metabolic substrates, autoimmune reactions, neurotrophin deprivation and excitotoxicity. The concept of neuroprotection in glaucoma therapy continues to intrigue researchers and clinicians. New research is targeted to develop medications (Neuroprotectors) that protect the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells that have been damaged by a primary stimulus (i.e., high intra-ocular pressure). This review article mainly emphasized on the pharmacological agents believed to have neuroprotective role in “post glaucoma optic neuropathy”
Authors and Affiliations
Parul Lakhanpal, MD
Keywords
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