Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising Treatments

Glaucoma is a major global cause of blindness, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for the neurodegenerative damage are not clear. Undoubtedly, the high intraocular pressure (IOP) and the secondary ischemic and mechanical damage of the optic nerve have a crucial role in retinal ganglion cell (R...

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Main Authors: Dario Rusciano, Salvatore Pezzino, Maria Giulia Mutolo, Rossella Giannotti, Aloisa Librando, Nicola Pescosolido
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Advances in Pharmacological Sciences
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/4320408
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author Dario Rusciano
Salvatore Pezzino
Maria Giulia Mutolo
Rossella Giannotti
Aloisa Librando
Nicola Pescosolido
author_facet Dario Rusciano
Salvatore Pezzino
Maria Giulia Mutolo
Rossella Giannotti
Aloisa Librando
Nicola Pescosolido
author_sort Dario Rusciano
collection DOAJ
description Glaucoma is a major global cause of blindness, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for the neurodegenerative damage are not clear. Undoubtedly, the high intraocular pressure (IOP) and the secondary ischemic and mechanical damage of the optic nerve have a crucial role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Several studies specifically analyzed the events that lead to nerve fiber layer thinning, showing the importance of both intra- and extracellular factors. In parallel, many neuroprotective substances have been tested for their efficacy and safety in hindering the negative effects that lead to RGC death. New formulations of these compounds, also suitable for chronic oral administration, are likely to be used in clinical practice in the future along with conventional therapies, in order to control the progression of the visual impairment due to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This review illustrates some of these old and new promising agents for the adjuvant treatment of POAG, with particular emphasis on forskolin and melatonin.
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spelling doaj-art-a69a22abfcc04722be171f512dc2a6f12025-08-20T03:38:39ZengWileyAdvances in Pharmacological Sciences1687-63341687-63422017-01-01201710.1155/2017/43204084320408Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising TreatmentsDario Rusciano0Salvatore Pezzino1Maria Giulia Mutolo2Rossella Giannotti3Aloisa Librando4Nicola Pescosolido5Sooft Italia S.p.A., Via Salvatore Quasimodo 136, Rome, ItalyBioos Italia S.r.l., Viale Andrea Doria 21, Catania, ItalyOphthalmology Clinic of the Sant’Andrea Hospital of Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrology, Anesthesiology and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyGlaucoma is a major global cause of blindness, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for the neurodegenerative damage are not clear. Undoubtedly, the high intraocular pressure (IOP) and the secondary ischemic and mechanical damage of the optic nerve have a crucial role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Several studies specifically analyzed the events that lead to nerve fiber layer thinning, showing the importance of both intra- and extracellular factors. In parallel, many neuroprotective substances have been tested for their efficacy and safety in hindering the negative effects that lead to RGC death. New formulations of these compounds, also suitable for chronic oral administration, are likely to be used in clinical practice in the future along with conventional therapies, in order to control the progression of the visual impairment due to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This review illustrates some of these old and new promising agents for the adjuvant treatment of POAG, with particular emphasis on forskolin and melatonin.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/4320408
spellingShingle Dario Rusciano
Salvatore Pezzino
Maria Giulia Mutolo
Rossella Giannotti
Aloisa Librando
Nicola Pescosolido
Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising Treatments
Advances in Pharmacological Sciences
title Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising Treatments
title_full Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising Treatments
title_fullStr Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising Treatments
title_full_unstemmed Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising Treatments
title_short Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising Treatments
title_sort neuroprotection in glaucoma old and new promising treatments
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/4320408
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AT aloisalibrando neuroprotectioninglaucomaoldandnewpromisingtreatments
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