title: Studying age-related macular degeneration using animal models.
abstract: Over the recent years, there have been tremendous advances in our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors associated with the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Examination of retinal changes in various animals has aided our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. Notably, mouse strains, carrying genetic anomalies similar to those affecting humans, have provided a foundation for understanding how various genetic risk factors affect retinal integrity. However, to date, no single mouse strain that develops all the features of AMD in a progressive age-related manner has been identified. In addition, a mutation present in some background strains has clouded the interpretation of retinal phenotypes in many mouse strains. The aim of this perspective was to describe how animals can be used to understand the significance of each sign of AMD, as well as key genetic risk factors.
authors: *MScOptom, PhD †PhD ‡BSc(Hons) §MOptom, PhD Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (all authors).
authors: Erica L
authors: EL
authors: Fletcher
authors: Andrew I
authors: AI
authors: Jobling
authors: Ursula
authors: U
authors: Greferath
authors: Samuel A
authors: SA
authors: Mills
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Waugh
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Ho
authors: Robb U
authors: RU
authors: de Iongh
authors: Joanna A
authors: JA
authors: Phipps
authors: Kirstan A
authors: KA
authors: Vessey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D051379:Mice; D015593:Retinal Drusen / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors