Natural molecule discovery could help glaucoma patients (Agmatine and thiamine may help)

Findings could lead to earlier detection and treatment for those suffering from the serious eye condition.

A new discovery could lead to the identification of a biomarker for both earlier detection and treatment of a devastating eye disease. The disease, glaucoma, is one of the leading causes of blindness.

Glaucoma leads to damage of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. When these nerves at the back of the eye—responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain—are damaged, vision loss occurs. While current treatments focus on reducing pressure within the eye, none have successfully protected RGCs from damage. Therefore, neuroprotective therapies to prevent RGC degeneration are an unmet need.

Singh and his team discovered that glaucoma patients have less of two tiny molecules—agmatine and thiamine—in the clear fluid at the front of the eye, compared to those without glaucoma. Singh has identified that these molecules, known as metabolites, could be potential biomarkers that could be spotted to detect the disease early.

"In several cases, people do not find out they have glaucoma until they are older and their eye pressure is elevated," Singh said. "Our long-term goal is to see if doctors could one day do a simple blood test to check for these biomarkers. If they can, hopefully they will be able to catch the disease much earlier, before vision loss occurs, so patients can receive treatment sooner."

These two metabolites, agmatine and thiamine, could also make for potential glaucoma treatments. In one of his recent pre-clinical studies, Singh found that agmatine and thiamine have neuroprotective potential and can help protect RGCs from damage and loss of visual function. This means these molecules might help stop or slow down the progression of vision loss, making them possible candidates for future neuroprotective treatment for glaucoma as eye drops or supplements.

AI Overview
Agmatine, a neuromodulator, and thiamine (Vitamin B1), an essential vitamin, both show neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory potential, particularly in the context of glaucoma and other neurological conditions, according to recent Show Me Mizzou research. They appear to protect retinal ganglion cells from damage and reduce inflammation, making them potential candidates for future treatments for glaucoma. While thiamine is vital for nervous system and energy function, agmatine acts as a neuromodulator with diverse biological activities, including neuroprotection, anticonvulsant properties, and antidepressant effects.
Agmatine
What it is:
Agmatine is a naturally occurring molecule derived from the amino acid arginine, produced by gut bacteria.
Functions:
It functions as a neuromodulator and has been shown to have diverse effects in the brain.
Potential Benefits:
Research suggests agmatine offers neuroprotective benefits by reducing oxidative stress, acting as an anti-inflammatory agent, and protecting against brain damage in various neurological conditions. It also has anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties.
Role in Glaucoma:
In PoAG (primary open-angle glaucoma) patients, agmatine levels were found to be decreased. Exogenously administered agmatine has been found to protect retinal ganglion cells and reduce the inflammatory response.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
What it is:
An essential water-soluble vitamin crucial for energy metabolism and overall health.
Functions:
Thiamine is vital for the proper functioning of the nervous system, heart, and muscles. It is also involved in neurotransmitter production, supporting cognitive function, memory, and mood.
Role in Glaucoma:
A 2025 Mizzou research study found that reduced levels of thiamine are associated with glaucoma. Intravitreal delivery of thiamine protected retinal ganglion cells from inflammatory damage and oxidative stress.
Agmatine and Thiamine in Tandem for Glaucoma
Neuroprotective Effects:
Both molecules showed a combined ability to reduce inflammation and protect retinal ganglion cells in experimental models of glaucoma.
Delivery Methods:
Researchers suggest that these molecules could be delivered as eye drops or supplements for potential treatment.
Considerations
More Research Needed:
.
Most studies are based on experimental models, and more clinical trials are required before agmatine and thiamine can be widely used clinically for neurological conditions.
Agmatine Absorption:
.
Agmatine is absorbed in the gut, rapidly distributed throughout the body, but quickly eliminated by the kidneys, which can affect its efficacy.
Thiamine Precursors:
.
Benfotiamine, a more bioavailable precursor of thiamine, is being studied for its neuroprotective properties and potential benefits in neurodegenerative diseases.

A suggestion from watching Barbara O’Neil ‘reels’ ...
Put a drop of castor oil on the tip of your little finger before you go to bed and use it to coat the outside eyelids and socket, then use your other hand to do the other side. It will work on your eyelids to remove wrinkles, and thicker eyelashes; then your eyeball, then surrounding tissue ... like your brain.

If you are adventurous you can also apply excess to the tip of your nose to see if your sense of smell comes back, like I did.

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