Vision as a sensitive indicator of conditions threatening retinal and central nervous system function

• Grant number: 08/58731-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2009
• End date: November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Physiological Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Dora Selma Fix Ventura
• Grantee: Dora Selma Fix Ventura
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant(s): 14/18322-7 - Maureen Neitz and the new perspectives of color vision genetics, AV.EXT; 14/18321-0 - Jay Neitz and the new perspectives of color vision genetics, AV.EXT; 14/04360-4 - Alvaro Rendon and the studies of dystrophin in the central nervous system, AV.EXT; + associated grants 14/04361-0 - Michel Roux and the studies of dystrophin in the central nervous system, AV.EXT; 11/23932-0 - Methodology and results about the effects of the occupational exposure to mercury and to organic solvents, AV.EXT; 12/01654-1 - 2012 ARVO Meeting, AR.EXT - associated grants
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/06403-0 - Morphological effects of the intravitreal injection of acyclovir upon cell density in the ganglion cell layer of the rabbit retina, BP.IC; 12/05298-5 - THERAPEUTIC STUDY OF MPA INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT IN EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE UVEITIS, BP.DR; 11/17423-6 - Study of the visual pigments of New World primates and analysis of genetic markers for diabetic retinopathy, BP.PD; 11/05059-8 - Application of a computerized procedure adapted for the evaluation of color vison in the Howler Monkey (Alouatta sp.), BP.MS; 10/10303-2 - Morphological study of the effects of intravitreous administration of mycophenolic acid in rabbits, BP.IC

Abstract

The present project will focus on three major groups of vision-threatening conditions: 1) diseases following long-term exposure to neuro-toxic drugs and/or substances (e.g., intoxication by organic solvents such as toluene and various forms of mercury-intoxication); 2) diseases resulting from the interaction between genetic and environmental components (e.g., diabetes and multiple sclerosis); 3) well-known genetic diseases (Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy). This approach has two broad objectives. The primary goal is to elucidate the mechanisms that cause functional and structural losses in the visual system, from retina to the central nervous system, and to compare these with mechanisms known to underly other neurodegenerative diseases. A second major goal is to establish new protocols and methods for early diagnosis. To achieve these goals, color vision, contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, hyperacuity functions and visual fields will be evaluated with psychophysical, electrophysiological, morphological, and genetic methodologies applied to both humans and animal models. The effect of such conditions on the human neuropsychological functions will also be evaluated. The project brings together basic and clinical research groups from several institutions: the Laboratório da Visão (Institute of Psychology, University of Sao Paulo), the Tropical Medicine Nucleus, the Laboratório de Neurobiologia, Center of Biological Sciences, and the Primate School, Institute of Psychology (Federal University of Pará) and the Histology Department of the Federal University of Paraná. (AU)

Scientific publications

(28)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GRACITELLI, CAROLINA P. B.; DUQUE-CHICA, GLORIA LILIAN; DE ARAUJO MOURA, ANA LAURA; ROIZENBLATT, MARINA; NAGY, BALAZS V.; DE MELO, GERALDINE RAGOT; BORBA, PAULA DELEGREGO; TEIXEIRA, SERGIO H.; TUFIK, SERGIO; VENTURA, DORA FIX; et al. Relationship between Daytime Sleepiness and Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells in Glaucomatous Disease. JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, 2016. (08/58731-2, 13/03553-0)

DUQUE-CHICA, GLORIA L.; GRACITELLI, CAROLINA P. B.; MOURA, ANA L. A.; NAGY, BALAZS V.; VIDAL, KALLENE S.; DE MELO, GERALDINE; PARANHOS, JR., AUGUSTO; CAHALI, MICHEL B.; VENTURA, DORA F.. Contributions of the Melanopsin-Expressing Ganglion Cells, Cones, and Rods to the Pupillary Light Response in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, v. 60, n. 8, p. 3002-3012, JUL 2019. (13/03553-0, 14/26818-2, 08/58731-2)

GRACITELLI, CAROLINA P. B.; DUQUE-CHICA, GLORIA L.; MOURA, ANA LAURA; NAGY, BALAZS V.; DE MELO, GERALDINE R.; ROIZENBLATT, MARINA; BORBA, PAULA D.; TEIXEIRA, SERGIO H.; VENTURA, DORA F.; PARANHOS, JR., AUGUSTO. A Positive Association Between Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thinning in Glaucoma. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, v. 55, n. 12, p. 7997-8005, DEC 2014. (08/58731-2, 13/03553-0)

CORMENZANA MENDEZ, INAKI; MARTIN, ANDRES; CHARMICHAEL, TEAIRE L.; JACOB, MELLINA M.; LACERDA, ELIZA M. C. B.; GOMES, BRUNO D.; FITZGERALD, MALINDA E. C.; VENTURA, DORA F.; SILVEIRA, LUIZ C. L.; O'DONELL, BEATRIZ M.; et al. Color Discrimination Is Affected by Modulation of Luminance Noise in Pseudoisochromatic Stimuli. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, v. 7, JUL 6 2016. (08/58731-2)

NAGY, BALAZS VINCE; SALGUEIRO BARBONI, MIRELLA TELLES; GOMES MARTINS, CRISTIANE MARIA; DA COSTA, MARCELO FERNANDES; KREMERS, JAN; VENTURA, DORA FIX. Human flicker electroretinography using different temporal modulations at mesopic and photopic luminance levels. DOCUMENTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, v. 129, n. 2, p. 129-138, OCT 2014. (08/58731-2, 07/55125-1, 12/51299-3, 12/01115-3)

HAUZMAN, EINAT; BONCI, DANIELA M. O.; GROTZNER, SONIA R.; MELA, MARITANA; LIBER, ANDRE M. P.; MARTINS, SONIA L.; VENTURA, DORA F.. Comparative Study of Photoreceptor and Retinal Ganglion Cell Topography and Spatial Resolving Power in Dipsadidae Snakes. BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION, v. 84, n. 3, p. 197-213, 2014. (08/58731-2, 11/17423-6, 09/06026-6)

RUSSELL D. HAMER; FABIO ALVES CARVALHO; DORA FIX VENTURA. Effect of contrast and gaps between Vernier stimulus elements on sweep visual evoked potential measurements of human cortical Vernier responses. Psychology & Neuroscience, v. 6, n. 2, p. 199-212, 2013-00-00. (08/58731-2)

DANIELA MARIA OLIVEIRA BONCI; MAUREEN NEITZ; JAY NEITZ; LUIZ CARLOS DE LIMA SILVEIRA; DORA FIX VENTURA. The genetics of New World monkey visual pigments. Psychology & Neuroscience, v. 6, n. 2, p. 133-144, 2013-00-00. (11/17423-6, 09/06026-6, 08/58731-2)

MANTOVANI, VIVIANI; HAUZMAN, EINAT; CORREDOR, VITOR H.; GOULART, PAULO R. K.; GALVAO, OLAVO; TALEBI, MAURICIO; PESSOA, DANIEL M. A.; SOARES, JULIANA G. M.; FIORANI, MARIO; GATTASS, RICARDO; et al. Genetic variability of the sws1 cone opsin gene among New World monkeys. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, v. 82, n. 12, DEC 2020. (14/26818-2, 14/25743-9, 18/09321-8, 08/58731-2)

GALANTE ROCHA DE VASCONCELOS, FELIPE TADEU; VILANI NAMAN, MARIA JULIA; HAUZMAN, EINAT; BARON, JEROME; VENTURA, DORA FIX; OLIVEIRA BONCI, DANIELA MARIA. LWS visual pigment in owls: Spectral tuning inferred by genetics. VISION RESEARCH, v. 165, p. 90-97, DEC 2019. (11/17423-6, 09/06026-6, 14/25743-9, 08/58731-2)

GRACITELLI, CAROLINA P. B.; DUQUE-CHICA, GLORIA L.; SANCHES, LIANA G.; MOURA, ANA L.; NAGY, BALAZS V.; TEIXEIRA, SERGIO H.; AMARO, JR., EDSON; VENTURA, DORA F.; PARANHOS, JR., AUGUSTO. Structural Analysis of Glaucoma Brain and its Association With Ocular Parameters. JOURNAL OF GLAUCOMA, v. 29, n. 5, p. 393-400, MAY 2020. (13/03553-0, 08/58731-2)

HAUZMAN, EINAT; OLIVEIRA BONCI, DANIELA MARIA; VENTURA, DORA FIX. Visual ecology of snakes: comparative study of the density and distribution of retinal neurons in diurnal and nocturnal species.. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, v. 57, n. 12, p. 2-pg., 2016-09-01. (08/58731-2)

SCHADE, GENEVIEVE; BRODEUR, KETAN; AKINDURU, OLUTOMI; FREITAS, JOYCE DOS SANTOS; SALOMAO, RAILSON CRUZ; GUIMARAES, DIEGO LEITE; FITZGERALD, MALINDA E. C.; SOUZA, GIVAGO S.. Visual evoked potentials measure luminance contrast masked by color noise. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, v. 58, n. 8, p. 2-pg., 2017-06-01. (08/58731-2)

DUQUE-CHICA, GLORIA L.; GRACITELLI, CAROLINA P. B.; MOURA, ANA L. A.; NAGY, BALAZS V.; VIDAL, KALLENE S.; PARANHOS, JR., AUGUSTO; VENTURA, DORA F.. Inner and Outer Retinal Contributions to Pupillary Light Response: Correlation to Functional and Morphologic Parameters in Glaucoma. JOURNAL OF GLAUCOMA, v. 27, n. 8, p. 723-732, AUG 2018. (08/58731-2, 13/03553-0)

HAUZMAN, EINAT; KALAVA, VENKATASUSHMA; OLIVEIRA BONCI, DANIELA MARIA; VENTURA, DORA FIX. Characterization of the melanopsin gene (Opn4x) of diurnal and nocturnal snakes. BMC Evolutionary Biology, v. 19, n. 1, AUG 28 2019. (09/06026-6, 14/26818-2, 08/58731-2, 14/25743-9)

FRANCISCO MAX DAMICO; MARIANA RAMOS SCOLARI; GABRIELA LOURENÇON IOSHIMOTO; BEATRIZ SAYURI TAKAHASHI; ARMANDO DA SILVA CUNHA JR.; SÍLVIA LIGÓRIO FIALHO; DANIELA MARIA BONCI; FABIO GASPARIN; DORA FIX VENTURA. Vitreous pharmacokinetics and electroretinographic findings after intravitreal injection of acyclovir in rabbits. Clinics, v. 67, n. 8, p. 931-937, 2012-08-00. (11/06924-4, 10/08331-8, 08/58731-2)

GALANTE ROCHA DE VASCONCELOS, FELIPE TADEU; HAUZMAN, EINAT; HENRIQUES, LEONARDO DUTRA; KILPP GOULART, PAULO RONEY; GALVAO, OLAVO DE FARIA; SANO, RONALDO YUITI; SOUZA, GIVAGO DA SILVA; ALFARO, JESSICA LYNCH; DE LIMA SILVEIRA, LUIS CARLOS; VENTURA, DORA FIX; et al. A novel nonsense mutation in the tyrosinase gene is related to the albinism in a capuchin monkey (Sapajus apella). BMC GENETICS, v. 18, MAY 5 2017. (08/58731-2, 14/25743-9, 11/17423-6, 09/06026-6)

COSTA, THIAGO L.; HAMER, RUSSELL D.; NAGY, BALAZS V.; BARBONI, MIRELLA T. S.; GUALTIERI, MIRELLA; BOGGIO, PAULO S.; VENTURA, DORA F.. Transcranial direct current stimulation can selectively affect different processing channels in human visual cortex. Experimental Brain Research, v. 233, n. 4, p. 1213-1223, APR 2015. (08/58731-2, 11/10794-9, 07/55125-1)

FEITOSA-SANTANA, CLAUDIA; SOUZA, GIVAGO DA SILVA; PUPO SIRIUS, ESAII VENTURA; RODRIGUES, ANDERSON RAIOL; TENTES CORTES, MARIA IZABEL; DE LIMA SILVEIRA, LUIZ CARLOS; VENTURA, DORA FIX. Color vision impairment with low-level methylmercury exposure of an Amazonian population - Brazil. NeuroToxicology, v. 66, p. 179-184, MAY 2018. (08/58731-2, 14/26818-2)

HAUZMAN, E.; BONCI, D. M. O.; SUAREZ-VILLOTA, E. Y.; NEITZ, M.; VENTURA, D. F.. Daily activity patterns influence retinal morphology, signatures of selection, and spectral tuning of opsin genes in colubrid snakes. BMC Evolutionary Biology, v. 17, DEC 11 2017. (08/58731-2, 14/25743-9, 14/26818-2, 11/17423-6, 09/06026-6)

COSTA, MARCELO F.; GOULART, PAULO R. K.; BARBONI, MIRELLA T. S.; VENTURA, DORA F.. Reduced Discrimination in the Tritanopic Confusion Line for Congenital Color Deficiency Adults. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, v. 7, MAR 30 2016. (08/58731-2)

GRACITELLI, CAROLINA P. B.; DUQUE-CHICA, GLORIA LILIANA; ROIZENBLATT, MARINA; DE ARAUJO MOURA, ANA LAURA; NAGY, BALAZS V.; DE MELO, GERALDINE RAGOT; BORBA, PAULA DELEGREGO; TEIXEIRA, SERGIO H.; TUFIK, SERGIO; VENTURA, DORA FIX; et al. Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cell Activity Is Associated with Decreased Sleep Quality in Patients with Glaucoma. OPHTHALMOLOGY, v. 122, n. 6, p. 1139-1148, JUN 2015. (08/58731-2, 13/03553-0)

SALGUEIRO BARBONI, MIRELLA TELLES; NAGY, BALAZS VINCE; DE ARAUJO MOURA, ANA LAURA; DAMICO, FRANCISCO MAX; DA COSTA, MARCELO FERNANDES; KREMERS, JAN; VENTURA, DORA FIX. ON and OFF Electroretinography and Contrast Sensitivity in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, v. 54, n. 5, p. 3195-3204, MAY 2013. (08/58731-2, 07/55125-1)

COSTA, THIAGO LEIROS; SALGUEIRO BARBONI, MIRELLA TELLES; DE ARAUJO MOURA, ANA LAURA; OLIVEIRA BONCI, DANIELA MARIA; GUALTIERI, MIRELLA; DE LIMA SILVEIRA, LUIZ CARLOS; VENTURA, DORA FIX. Long-Term Occupational Exposure to Organic Solvents Affects Color Vision, Contrast Sensitivity and Visual Fields. PLoS One, v. 7, n. 8, AUG 15 2012. (08/58731-2, 07/55125-1, 09/07089-1, 02/12733-8)

MOURA, ANA LAURA A.; NAGY, BALAZS V.; LA MORGIA, CHIARA; BARBONI, PIERO; FERNANDES OLIVEIRA, ANDRE GUSTAVO; SALOMAO, SOLANGE R.; BEREZOVSKY, ADRIANA; DE MORAES-FILHO, MILTON NUNES; CHICANI, CARLOS FILIPE; BELFORT, JR., RUBENS; et al. The Pupil Light Reflex in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: Evidence for Preservation of Melanopsin-Expressing Retinal Ganglion Cells. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, v. 54, n. 7, p. 4471-4477, JUL 2013. (08/58731-2)

ALTAVINI, TIAGO SIEBERT; HENRIQUES, LEONARDO DUTRA; OLIVEIRA BONCI, DANIELA MARIA; NAGY, BALAZS VINCE; VENTURA, DORA FIX; PESSOA, VALDIR FILGUEIRAS. Using the Hard, Randy, and Rittler Test to Evaluate Color Vision in Capuchins (Cebus libidinosus). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, v. 33, n. 6, p. 1467-1476, DEC 2012. (09/06026-6, 08/58731-2, 11/17423-6)

FEITOSA-SANTANA, CLAUDIA; COSTA, MARCELO FERNANDES; FERRAZ, HENRIQUE BALLALAI; ANDRADE, LUIZ AUGUSTO F.; MOURA, ANA LAURA; AMARO JR, EDSON; HAMER, RUSSELL D.; VENTURA, DORA FIX. Visual losses in early-onset and late-onset Parkinson's disease. JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA A-OPTICS IMAGE SCIENCE AND VISION, v. 37, n. 5, p. A285-A293, MAY 1 2020. (14/26818-2, 08/58731-2)

GRACITELLI, CAROLINA P. B.; DUQUE-CHICA, GLORIA LILIAN; DE ARAUJO MOURA, ANA LAURA; ROIZENBLATT, MARINA; NAGY, BALAZS V.; DE MELO, GERALDINE RAGOT; BORBA, PAULA DELEGREGO; TEIXEIRA, SERGIO H.; TUFIK, SERGIO; VENTURA, DORA FIX; et al. Relationship between Daytime Sleepiness and Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells in Glaucomatous Disease. JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, v. 2016, p. 9-pg., 2016-01-01. (08/58731-2, 13/03553-0)