Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
07:11
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) of the Visual Cortex with Wide-View Retinotopic Stimulation
Published on: December 8, 2023
Voxel-based morphometry of the visual-related cortex in primary open angle glaucoma.
Changying Li1, Ping Cai, Linping Shi
1Department of Radiology, 42nd Hospital of PLA , Leshan, Sichuan, China.
Current Eye Research
|May 29, 2012
Summary
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) shows no brain gray matter changes in early stages. Advanced POAG involves visual cortex degeneration, suggesting distinct disease pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Radiology
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Understanding the neurodegenerative aspects of POAG is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate in vivo morphometric changes in the whole brain's visual-related cortex across different stages of POAG.
- To identify structural brain alterations associated with POAG progression.
Main Methods:
- Thirty POAG patients (early and advanced stages) and 30 healthy controls underwent T1-weighted 3D MP RAGE MRI scans.
- Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was employed to analyze regional gray matter (GM) density differences.
Main Results:
- No significant GM density changes were observed in the early stage of POAG compared to controls.
- Advanced-stage POAG patients exhibited reduced GM density in visual cortex (BA17, BA18) and other brain regions.
- GM density reductions correlated with binocular mean defect and disease duration in advanced POAG.
Conclusions:
- POAG pathogenesis differs across disease stages, with no detectable brain changes in early stages.
- Advanced POAG is characterized by visual cortex atrophy in dorsal and ventral visual pathways.
- Observed GM density changes are likely linked to the underlying pathogenesis of POAG.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...