All degenerative retinal diseases are incurable by current methods. Retinal transplantation is a new experimental methodology that shows immense therapeutic potential for retinal degenerations. It remains to be established if functional connections are formed with the host visual system and if treated animals see better. This project will evaluate visual function in rodents with hereditary retinal degenerations that have received transplants. Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats will receive subretinal (SR) injections of retinal epithelial (RPE) cells while mutant mice (rd) will receive SR photoreceptors. Contralateral eyes will serve as controls. Graft function will be tested using the pupillary light reflex and the electroretinogram. Affiliated studies in the same laboratory will investigate central visual correlates of visual function using electrophysiological and behavioral methods. Taken together, these projects represent the most in-depth inquiry into the visual benefits of retinal transplants to date, and the first direct comparison of these two important rodent models.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32EY006697-02
Application #
2019563
Study Section
Visual Sciences C Study Section (VISC)
Project Start
1996-09-30
Project End
Budget Start
1996-09-30
Budget End
1997-09-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1996
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of London Institute of Ophthalmlgy
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
London
State
Country
United Kingdom
Zip Code