title: New strategies for neuroprotection in glaucoma, a disease that affects the central nervous system.
abstract: Glaucoma is a disease where retinal ganglion cells (RGC) are specifically affected though a number of evidences endorse the hypothesis that glaucoma is a neuro-degenerative disorder of the central nervous system and suggest a possible connection between glaucomatous damage and cerebrovascular alterations. The mechanisms underlying RGC loss are not yet fully known but alterations of the autophagy machinery have been recently proposed as a potential contributing factor as for Alzheimer's disease. Here we review the current literature on new strategies for neuroprotection in glaucoma, focusing on pharmacologic strategies to minimize RGC damage.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome Italy. Electronic address: nucci@med.uniroma2.it.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Nutritional and Health Sciences University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; University Center for Adaptive Disorders and Head Pain, Section of Neuropharmacology of Normal and Pathological Neuronal Plasticity, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martucci
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Clarissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.affiliation: UOC Neuroradiologia, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy; San Raffaele Cassino (FR), Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garaci
authors.affiliation: UOC Neuroradiologia, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Floris
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Nutritional and Health Sciences University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; University Center for Adaptive Disorders and Head Pain, Section of Neuropharmacology of Normal and Pathological Neuronal Plasticity, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacinto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bagetta
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Nutritional and Health Sciences University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; University Center for Adaptive Disorders and Head Pain, Section of Neuropharmacology of Normal and Pathological Neuronal Plasticity, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi Antonio
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Morrone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents
keywords: Glaucoma; Intraocular pressure; Neuroprotection; Optic nerve; Retinal ganglion cell