Imaging spatial and temporal dynamics of retinal ganglion cells

项目总结/摘要 神经节细胞（GCs）和其他内部视网膜神经元是视网膜神经回路、处理和再生的基础。 光感受器信号从中间神经元传递到大脑。然而， 不知道他们在视力中的作用和他们对导致失明的疾病的脆弱性。特别是GC 神经退行性疾病，如青光眼，阿尔茨海默病，帕金森病， 多发性硬化我们还从组织学中知道，每年这些细胞中有一小部分作为细胞凋亡的一部分死亡。 正常的衰老过程。不幸的是，评估种群损失和GC和其他物种的一般健康状况的技术， 体内的内部视网膜神经元是有限的。快速、特异和非侵入性的新型光学模式 有望大大提高我们监测视网膜内层神经元的时空动态的能力。 这项研究利用了我实验室开发的独特的光学仪器， 自适应光学和光学相干断层扫描，以实现活体人体的细胞级3D成像 视网膜。我们将使用这种技术来研究量化内部空间属性的三个具体目标。 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，高特异性光学技术作为探测结构和生理过程的有效工具， 视网膜在细胞水平上的变化。由此产生的在体内研究细胞的能力将改善早期检测和 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.