Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System
12:06

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 12, 2011

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Apoptosis in health and diseases of the eye and brain

Dalia Abdulhussein1, Mumta Kanda2, Abdullah Aamir3

  • 1The Imperial College Ophthalmic Research Group (ICORG), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.

Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology
|June 6, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Programmed cell death (PCD) removes cells silently, but its acceleration in eye and brain diseases causes structural and functional loss. This review explores PCD

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death (PCD), facilitates the silent removal of aged or damaged cells.
  • This process involves intrinsic or extrinsic signaling pathways culminating in cellular clearance by phagocytes.
  • While essential for tissue homeostasis, aberrant apoptosis contributes to disease pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiological role of PCD in maintaining eye and brain health.
  • To examine the evidence linking dysregulated PCD to diseases affecting the eyes and brain.
  • To highlight the impact of aberrant PCD on tissue structure and function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on programmed cell death.
  • Analysis of research on apoptosis in ocular and neurological systems.
  • Synthesis of evidence for the involvement of PCD in disease states.

Main Results:

  • Normal PCD is crucial for the healthy functioning of the eyes and brain.
  • Accelerated or dysregulated PCD is implicated in the pathology of various eye and brain diseases.
  • Aberrant PCD leads to significant loss of cellular structure and organ function.

Conclusions:

  • Programmed cell death plays a dual role in ocular and neurological health and disease.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of PCD is critical for developing therapeutic strategies for related diseases.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of PCD in specific neurodegenerative and ophthalmological conditions.
Keywords:
Detecting apoptosing retinal cellsNeurodegenerationNon-programmed cell deathProgrammed cell deathRetinal disease

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