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Abstract #15109 Published in IGR 8-4
Consequences of glaucoma on circadian and central visual systems
Chiquet C; Drouyer E; Woldemussie E; Ruiz G; Wheeler L; Denis P; Cooper H; Romanet JPJournal Français d'Ophtalmologie 2006; 29: 847-851
Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy leading to a degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. There is accumulating evidence that glaucomatous damage extends from retinal ganglion cells to vision centers in the brain. Degenerative changes are observed in magnocellular, parvocellular, and koniocellular pathways in the lateral geniculate nucleus, and these changes are related to intraocular pressure and the severity of optic nerve damage. In addition, recent studies show that there are also changes in the visual cortex in relation to varying degrees of retinal ganglion cell loss. In a rat model of glaucoma, we have recently demonstrated a reduction of retinal projections of retinal ganglion cells, not only on the visual system but also on the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Human studies suggest that the ganglion cell degeneration caused by glaucoma could lead to a lesion of the retinohypothalamic tract, which permits the synchronization of circadian rhythms. LA: French
Dr. C. Chiquet, Service d'Ophtalmologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Grenoble, France. cchiquet@chu-grenoble.fr
Classification:
2.16 Chiasma and retrochiasmal central nervous system (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
