Page 25 - Demo

Research 25Shared goalsSo, glaucoma and spinal cord injuries both involve damage to nerve cells. The causes and locations of the damage might differ, but the cells involved are similar. Therefore, researchers in both fields are seeking to understand how and why neural damage occurs and find similar therapies to prevent it. They want to prevent the death of nerve cells and identify substances that can protect nerve cells or make them more resilient if damaged. Teams are also looking at repairing damaged nerve cells, for example finding chemicals which can stimulate repair mechanisms or harnessing stem cells to regrow nerve cells. Aside from direct damage to nerve cells, there are also cellular processes happening within glaucoma and spinal cord injuries which contribute to the progression of each. For example, an unhelpful immune response can cause inflammation which further damages cells. Therefore, understanding and managing that immune response can protect cells. Similarly, mitochondrial dysfunction, which limits the cells%u2019 ability to produce energy, occurs within both glaucoma and SCI. So again, if we can improve mitochondrial function, that could have benefits for both glaucoma and SCI. Shared learningsBecause of all these overlaps, researchers in both glaucoma and SCI often work together. They share what they%u2019ve learnt, whether that%u2019s in experimental techniques, understanding of cellular mechanisms, or possible new therapies. For example, it%u2019s possible that the large-scale research looking at vitamin B3 within glaucoma care, to restore mitochondrial function and protect nerves, could have learnings for spinal cord injury researchers. Researchers into glaucoma have an advantage over spinal cord researchers: the nerves they%u2019re looking at are directly visible within the eye. The nerves in the spinal cord are enclosed within the backbone. That means they%u2019re hard to image and monitor. Spinal cord researchers don%u2019t have access to noninvasive, widely available ophthalmology technology such as OCT to visualise damage. That means there are active collaborations between spinal cord researchers and glaucoma researchers (or others looking at the optic nerve), knowing the learnings from the optic nerve are likely to translate to spinal cord work. The future%u2026The ultimate aim of treating both glaucoma and spinal cord injuries is to restore the function of damaged nerves%u2014to regain the ability to send and receive signals between the eye or the body and the brain. Unfortunately, this goal remains some way off. We have yet to discover ways to fully restore the function of and connections between nerve cells. However, many hands make light work. By sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and working towards common goals, we hope researchers in both glaucoma and SCI fields can discover insights, techniques, and treatments faster. And who knows? Perhaps the next big breakthrough in glaucoma research could help someone walk again.