Glaucoma research gives a glimpse of a novel neuroprotection mechanism

Researchers at the Krembil Research Institute (ON, Canada) have identified a novel neuroprotective factor with potential to help treat glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases. Glaucoma results in progressive, irreversible degeneration of the optic nerve and can lead to blindness. Affecting over 70 million people globally, there is no known cure and treatments are limited to reducing ocular pressure. Preventing neurodegeneration is thus a major research goal. Previous research had shown that astrocytes and related microglia have a neuroprotective role following CNS injury; however, the precise mechanisms had not been elucidated. The new study utilized a model of the inner retina...