Differential resilience against complete optic nerve transection across visual areas
Yuan Geng1, Lixu Wang1, Shengjian Lu1
1State Key Laboratory of Eye Health, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Key Technologies for Visual Pathway Reconstruction, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China; The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325027, China.
Abstract:
Understanding how the central visual system responds to complete optic nerve transection (ONT) is critical for evaluating the feasibility of whole-eye transplantation (WET), as envisioned by the 2024 ARPA-H THETA program. This study evaluates the dynamitic neuronal and synaptic changes within the posterior visual pathway-the superior colliculus (SC), lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and primary visual cortex (V1)-after optic nerve crush (ONC) and ONT in mice models. Complementary observations were obtained in non-human primates. Both injury models induced time-dependent alterations, but degeneration severity differed across brain regions. The SC and LGN exhibited preserved neuronal and synaptic densities, indicating strong structural resilience. On the contrary, V1 displayed early and sustained neuronal and synaptic loss. These findings suggest that the posterior visual pathway maintains a prolonged structural window that could enable long-distance optic nerve regeneration and eye-brain reconnection.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Eyeball
Vision
Neuroplasticity
Visual System
Once through the pupil, the light passes through the lens, a...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....


