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Animal tests have shown that stem cells can restore vision
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
An analysis of the activity of neurons showed that three months after cell transplantation, laboratory rats again distinguished the size and contrast of objects. Scientists hope that the technique will be effective for people as well.
Millions of people around the world suffer from age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Modern methods of treatment can protect the retina from further destruction, but are ineffective in the later stages of the disease, when the patient has already lost his sight. According to some researchers, stem cells can restore a damaged retina.
In a number of experiments, it has been demonstrated that transplantation of embryonic retinal cells gives blind experimental animals the ability to distinguish between light and darkness. However, it remained unknown how the brain interacts with the transplanted area, notes the press release of UCI researchers uncover evidence of restored vision in rats following cell transplant.
A team of researchers from California studied the brains of rats that underwent retinal stem cell transplantation. It turned out that the transplanted cells successfully took root, and the brain neurons responsible for the central field of vision work almost the same as in healthy individuals.
Measuring the activity of neurons in the visual cortex, scientists came to the conclusion that experimental rodents with severe retinal degeneration recover sensitivity to various visual stimuli, for example, contrast and size of objects, three months after surgery.
Now scientists intend to thoroughly investigate the behavior of rats with transplanted retinas in order to assess their visual abilities. According to the researchers, the data obtained on rodents indicate the prospects of an approach for the treatment of age-related blindness in humans.
The startup Genetech has developed an implant that can prevent blindness. A device the size of a grain of rice is inserted into the eye and slowly releases a supply of medicine. This approach is much more effective than regular visits to the doctor for a new injection.
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