Posted on 07/05/2023 9:40:18 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
International research led by QIMR Berghofer has found hundreds of new genes linked to a person's risk of developing glaucoma, including key genetic targets that could, for the first time, pave the way for treatments that prevent the retinal damage that causes blindness.
The findings, from the largest-ever global genetic study of the degenerative eye disease, have been published in Nature Genetics.
The research significantly advances our understanding of the genetics of glaucoma, building on a previous 2021 study to identify another 185 previously unknown genes linked to glaucoma risk, bringing the total number to 312 genes.
"Existing treatments focus only on lowering eye pressure. The dream has always been to find a way to make the retina itself stronger so it can withstand the build-up of pressure and prevent the damage that causes permanent blindness.
"Our findings are really exciting because for the first time we've discovered the set of genes that could be targeted to induce this 'neuro-protection' in the retinal cells.
"We've also identified existing drugs that could be used on those genetic targets. This could rapidly advance effective treatment to finally prevent retina and optic nerve damage."
Repurposing drugs has many benefits including faster translation of research findings into treatments for patients because the drugs have already been proven safe in humans.
The research also found, for the first time, links between glaucoma risk and diabetes and immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
"Some of our drug discovery work suggests that certain existing treatments for other diseases, such as the diabetes drug Metformin, may have potential for use in glaucoma," Professor MacGregor said.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Circling back
Wonder if Berberine would work, too, since it acts in a way similar to Metformin.
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