Is pseudoexfoliation glaucoma a neurodegenerative disorder?
Biswajit Padhy1, Debasmita Pankaj Alone
1School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar, Khurda 752 050, India.
Journal of Biosciences
|November 17, 2021
Summary
Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) is an age-related disorder affecting the eye. New research suggests PEX, including pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), is a neurodegenerative disease sharing traits with conditions like Alzheimer's.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) is a systemic, age-related disorder impacting ocular tissues.
- Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) involves fibrillar aggregate deposition, leading to pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), a common secondary glaucoma.
- Recent research indicates PEX may be a neurodegenerative disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare the pathological mechanisms of PEXG with neurodegenerative diseases.
- To categorize PEXG as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder based on shared features.
Main Methods:
- Literature review comparing PEXG pathology with neurodegenerative disorders.
- Analysis of epidemiological studies linking PEX with other neurodegenerative conditions.
- Examination of shared genetic risk factors and protein aggregation patterns.
Main Results:
- PEX shares common features with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and age-related macular degeneration.
- Shared characteristics include genetic risk factors, abnormal protein aggregation, and neuronal degeneration.
- PEXG exhibits progressive neuronal degeneration similar to other neurodegenerative conditions.
Conclusions:
- Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) can be categorized as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Understanding PEXG as a neurodegenerative condition may offer new therapeutic avenues.
- Further research into shared pathways could illuminate PEX pathogenesis and treatment.
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