title: [Mechanisms of retinal neurodegeneration as a result of diabetes mellitus].
abstract: Diabetic retinopathy is characterised by microvascular damage to the retina caused by diabetes mellitus. Early vascular findings are microaneurysms and a breakdown of the blood-retina barrier. Recent studies indicate that neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation of the retina play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinal changes. They can occur early and preceed vascular changes. Important features of neurodegeneration of the retina are apoptosis and glia activation. This results in the loss of neuroretinal tissue.
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Ulm.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*