Expression of opsins and melanopsins in snakes' retinas: molecular genetics and im...
| Grant number: | 13/03553-0 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| Effective date (Start): | July 01, 2013 |
| Effective date (End): | July 31, 2015 |
| Field of knowledge: | Humanities - Psychology |
| Principal Investigator: | Dora Selma Fix Ventura |
| Grantee: | Gloria Liliana Duque Chica |
| Home Institution: | Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Abstract Several studies have shown that intrinsically photosensitive ganglion cells (ipRGCs), a small population of ganglion cells containing the photopigment melanopsin, contribute both to the pupillary light reflex and the circadian rhythm. Nowadays, the evaluation of pupillary light reflex is used in clinical practice to test the operating condition of different retinal cell types. Its properties such as velocity and amplitude of contraction may be related to functional and anatomical losses in optic neuropathies, therefore provides valuable objective information about the functionality of the optic nerve. The loss of retinal ganglion cells in glaucomatous neuropathy allows this disease to be a model for studies of circadian physiology. Furthermore, the key role of luminous information on the generation of biological rhythms is of great interest to determine how ocular diseases can affect the circadian system. This study aims to evaluate the integrity of ganglion cells expressing melanopsin through the pupillary light reflex and to compare it to the level of saliva's melatonin in a group of patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and also in a group of patients with sleep disorders (obstructive sleep apnea) in order to understand the relationship of ipRGCs on the pathogenesis of circadian abnormalities. (AU) | |