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Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System
Published on: May 12, 2011
Optic nerve and retina after experimental circulatory arrest
Investigative Ophthalmology
|February 1, 1975
Summary
The retinas and optic nerves of Rhesus monkeys showed no damage after temporary circulatory arrest. This suggests these eye structures are surprisingly resistant to damage from lack of blood flow.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Primate Research
Background:
- The brain exhibits remarkable resistance to damage from transient circulatory arrest.
- Understanding the tolerance of other neural tissues to ischemia is crucial for clinical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the tolerance of the retina and optic nerve to transient, total circulatory arrest.
- To determine if these ocular structures share the brain's resistance to ischemic damage.
Main Methods:
- Rhesus monkeys (late juvenile and adult) underwent transient, total arrest of systemic circulation.
- Periods of circulatory arrest ranged from 12 to 30 minutes.
- Survivors were observed for periods ranging from four hours to one year post-arrest.
Main Results:
- Histological examination of retinas and optic nerves using light microscopy revealed no abnormalities.
- The observed ocular structures remained normal despite the induced ischemic events.
Conclusions:
- The retina and optic nerve demonstrate a significant degree of resistance to damage following transient circulatory arrest.
- These findings suggest that ocular neural tissues may be as resilient to ischemia as the brain.
