title: Ganglion cell analysis in acute optic neuritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optic neuritis has a diagnostic and prognostic significance in predicting the development of multiple sclerosis. Optical coherence tomography is being increasingly used to detect and monitor axonal damage in MS by measuring the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). However, RNFL can be affected by edema and inflammation and obscure early axonal damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the pattern of change in the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer compared to retinal nerve fibber layer in acute optic neuritis using spectral domain OCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with acute optic neuritis were followed prospectively for 6 months with spectral domain optical coherence tomography. A group of 40 of eyes of 20 healthy controls was used for baseline comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) was significantly lower (thinner) at onset in patients' affected (p=0.009) eyes. Both RNFL and GCIPL were significantly lower in affected eyes at 6 months (p=0.012 and p=0.007) respectively compared to baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GCIPL is probably more sensitive index of axonal loss than the RNFL in acute optic neuritis and could be a better index to detect neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. This can helpful in estimating early axonal loss and can potentially be used in therapeutic trials of neuroprotective drugs.
authors: Neurology Clinic, Dasman Institute, Dasman, Kuwait; Al-Bahar Ophthalmology Center, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Electronic address: raed.behbehani@dasmaninstitute.org.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Behbehani
authors: Al-Bahar Ophthalmology Center, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Al-Moosa
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Dasman Institute, Kuwait.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Sriraman
authors: Neurology Clinic, Dasman Institute, Dasman, Kuwait; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Amiri Hospital, Sharq, Kuwait.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Alroughani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ganglion Cell and Inner Plexiform Layer; Multiple Sclerosis; Optic Neuritis; Optical Coherence Tomography