The Future of Sight
By: Olajumoke Bamgbose
Usually when
looking at neuroscience, the idea that once the nerve has been damaged the
nerve is no longer able to function has been the main narrative. Since we know
that mature neurons do not divide, it makes sense that once a nerve is damaged
it’s usually no longer functioning. This common principle, naturally, also
applies to sight. One of the main players in the game of sight is the optic
nerve. It has been accepted that optic nerve damage usually leads to blindness,
which can sadly be a later symptom in glaucoma.
The good news is
that the more a topic is research the more information is learned. In class, we
discussed lesion studies and how this technique can aid in the advancement of
knowledge. A recent study published in Nature
Neuroscience has recently used the practice of killing cells in particular
area of the brain, this technique allowed them to successfully regenerate the
nerve that was killed. This is an example of why dissociative techniques are
used in labs, they not only give insight on the function of particular parts of
the brain but it can also be used to manipulate cells and try new things with
them.
This study was
successfully able to regenerate the sight of mice with damaged optic nerve.
Neurobiology professor, Andrew Huberman and his team at Stanford University
crushed the optic nerve in one of the eyes of a few mice. Since the optic nerve
was crushed, the mice were no longer able to see but through the use of nerve
growing chemicals and nerve visual stimulation the scientist were able to
restore sight in the mice. The chemicals and stimulation of the optic nerve
functioned to salvage the axons of the cell and allow them to stretch and
return back to the location of their original connection. The chemicals and
stimulations used on the nerve made it able to grow and connect back to the
correct site was sufficient to restore vision. This discovery led to insight on
regenerating neurons and now further test are being planned in hopes of one day
using a similar therapy in humans with damaged optic nerves, specifically
glaucoma.
This is a very insightful article and provides a lot of detail into the nervous system and how it divides. This makes me want to pursue this same technique with nerve 'regeneration' and apply it to spinal cord injuries and see if it can restore motor function and sensory information to the brain as well. This could also be beneficial to amputees as well to restore sensation and motion in artificial limbs. I wonder if it could benefit patients with neurodegenerative diseases as well, such as Multiple Sclerosis or ALS?
ReplyDeleteSince the brain is malleable and able to change and compensate for 'lost' parts, it is interesting to see how changes affect the function of the person. With technology like this, it seems like restoring sight or other sensations or functions is not far off. This seems like a major break through in neuroscience and neuropharmacology and I am intrigued to see where it will lead and how it could improve the lives of many.