Anterograde Tract Tracing for Assaying Axonopathy and Transport Deficits in Glaucoma

Whether to stage degeneration or investigate early pathology in glaucoma, examination of axonal structure and function is essential. There are a wide variety of methods available to investigators using animal models of glaucoma, with varying utilities depending on the questions asked. Here, we describe the use of anterograde neuronal tract tracing using cholera toxin B (CTB) for the determination of axon transport integrity of the retinofugal projection. This method reveals the structure of the retinal axons as well as the functional integrity of anterograde transport systems.