Chief Supervisor

Dr Ellen TAN

Project Title

Longitudinal assessment of optic nerve neurodegeneration using rodent models of demyelinating optic neuritis

Synopsis

Demyelinating optic neuritis is an inflammatory condition on optic nerves and common in East Asian populations. It happens in different pathological conditions, for example, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder or multiple sclerosis. The current immunosuppressive therapies cannot provide a good visual outcome in a part of patients with demyelinating optic neuritis. Consequently, it may result in irreversible impairment of vision. The pathophysiology of demyelinating optic neuritis still remains unclear currently. The laboratory and clinical investigations of this disease in Asian populations, and especially in Chinese people, are needed.

In this project, we try to have a better understanding and observation in development of demyelinating optic neuritis based on the novel rodent models, and monitor the longitudinal structural changes in axonal injury in demyelinating optic neuritis using optical coherence tomography and electrophysiological techniques. This study will provide an ideal platform for follow-up studies on the characteristics, pathogenesis and new therapeutic development in relation to optic neuritis.