Imaging spatial and temporal dynamics of retinal ganglion cells

项目摘要/摘要 神经节细胞(GC)和其他视网膜内神经元是视网膜神经回路、处理 光感受器信号从中间神经元传递到大脑。然而，仍然有很多东西 不知道它们在视力中的作用以及它们对导致失明的疾病的脆弱性。尤其是GCS 患上神经退行性疾病，如青光眼、阿尔茨海默氏症、帕金森氏症和 多发性硬化症。我们还从组织学上了解到，这些细胞中的一小部分每年作为 正常的老化过程。不幸的是，评估人口损失和GC和其他人总体健康的技术 体内的视网膜内神经元是有限的。快速、特定和非侵入性的新光学模式 承诺大大提高我们监测视网膜内神经元的空间和时间动态的能力。 这项研究利用了我实验室开发的独特的光学仪器，它结合了 自适应光学和光学相干层析成像实现活体人体的细胞级三维成像 视网膜。我们将使用这项技术来研究量化内部空间属性的三个特定目标 视网膜神经元及其在衰老和青光眼中的变化。这项研究的长期目标是建立高 分辨率高、特异性高的光学技术是探测心脏结构和生理过程的有效工具 细胞级别的视网膜。由此产生的在体内研究细胞的能力将改善早期发现和 对影响视网膜的疾病进行治疗监测。

Project Summary/Abstract Ganglion cells (GCs) and other inner retinal neurons are fundamental to retinal neural circuitry, processing photoreceptor signals relayed from intermediate neurons for transmission to the brain. Yet, much remains unknown about their role in vision and their vulnerability to disease leading to blindness. GCs in particular are lost to neurodegenerative disorders such as glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. We also know from histology that a small fraction of these cells die each year as part of the normal aging process. Unfortunately, techniques to assess population loss and general health of GCs and other inner retinal neurons in vivo are limited. New optical modalities that are rapid, specific, and non-invasive promise to greatly enhance our ability to monitor the spatial and temporal dynamics of inner retinal neurons. This study takes advantage of unique optical instrumentation developed in my laboratory that combines adaptive optics and optical coherence tomography to achieve cellular-level 3D imaging of the living human retina. We will use this technique to investigate three specific aims that quantify the spatial properties of inner retinal neurons and their change in aging and glaucoma. The long term goal of this research is to establish high resolution, high specificity optical techniques as valid tools for probing structure and physiologic processes of the retina at the cellular scale. The resulting ability to study cells in vivo will improve early detection of and treatment monitoring for diseases that impact the retina.