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.
Experimental Eye Research
|April 9, 2026
Summary
Optic nerve injury causes distinct changes in the visual pathway. The superior colliculus and lateral geniculate nucleus show resilience, while the visual cortex experiences significant cell loss, suggesting potential for eye-brain reconnection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Whole-eye transplantation (WET) requires understanding visual system response to optic nerve damage.
- Optic nerve transection (ONT) models are crucial for assessing the feasibility of eye-brain reconnection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate neuronal and synaptic changes in the posterior visual pathway after optic nerve injury.
- To compare responses in the superior colliculus (SC), lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and primary visual cortex (V1) following optic nerve crush (ONC) and ONT.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse models for optic nerve crush (ONC) and optic nerve transection (ONT).
- Examined dynamic neuronal and synaptic alterations in the SC, LGN, and V1.
- Included complementary observations in non-human primates.
Main Results:
- Both ONC and ONT induced time-dependent changes in the visual pathway.
- The SC and LGN demonstrated preserved neuronal and synaptic densities, indicating structural resilience.
- V1 showed early and persistent neuronal and synaptic loss.
Conclusions:
- The posterior visual pathway exhibits differential resilience to optic nerve injury.
- A prolonged structural window may exist for optic nerve regeneration and eye-brain reconnection.
- Findings support the potential feasibility of strategies like whole-eye transplantation.
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