Neuroprotection in a model of chronic ocular hypertension

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Damage can occur to nervous tissues like the retina and brain when there is a reduction in the blood supply. This can occur in the eye disease, glaucoma, in which the pressure inside the eye is elevated. This serious condition often results in blindness. Much of the neuronal damage is thought to be due to the release of an excess of glutamate. Glutamate is a chemical (neurotransmitter) that nerves use to communicate with each other, but it is toxic to nerves when present at high concentrations. This project will utilise a new model of glaucoma to investigate the mechanisms that regulate the concentration of glutamate in the retina. If these mechanisms could be made to work more efficiently, they may prevent the build-up of the glutamate and therefore prevent damage to the nerve cells. Understanding these mechanisms will aid in the development of an effective treatment to prevent visual loss in the 150,000 Australians who suffer from glaucoma.