Description

Neuro-ophthalmological disorders cause significant deficits in visual function because of dysfunction of the neural circuits or neurodegenerative processes involving the visual nervous system. Such processes can be evaluated through the combined use of new electrofunctional and imaging methods for “in vivo” assessment of morphofunctional abnormalities of the visual nervous system. The priority of the research line is to reduce visual impairment in patients with neuro-ophthalmological pathologies through a greater understanding of the dysfunctions of the neural circuits and neurodegenerative processes with related innovative therapeutic approaches.

Introduction

Various pathologies involving the visual nervous system (inherited retinal dystrophies, glaucoma, amblyopia, demyelinating, ischemic, toxic, infectious or inherited optic neuritis, Alzheimer's disease, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, hypophyseal pathologies, hereditary degenerative ataxias, vascular or cerebral neoplastic pathologies, migraine) can cause a serious impairment of visual function that can manifest itself with a reduction in visual acuity, with a concentric loss or of the upper/lower or central part of the visual field or with binocular vision dysfunction (diplopia). In such neuro-ophthalmological pathologies, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying both dysfunctions of the neural circuits and neurodegenerative processes are not identified with certainty. For the purposes of this identification, an important contribution is made both by the Neurophysiology of Vision that studies the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying visual perception, and through specific electrofunctional methods (Electroretinogram, Visual Evoked Potentials) as well as through imaging methods for "in vivo" evaluation of structural abnormalities of the complex retinal and optic nerve architecture.

Rational

Currently, in the neuro-ophthalmological field, a major challenge is to identify the most accurate semiotic methods for the identification of both abnormalities of the nerve circuitry and neurodegenerative processes that determine the impairment of visual function. Based on what we produce and what is reported in the literature, the priority of the research line is aimed at the identification of innovative semiotic procedures that can specifically identify dysfunctions of the neural circuits and neurodegenerative processes. The clinical use of more accurate, sensitive, and specific methods could lead to a reduction in the socio-health cost associated with performing diagnostic tests that are not entirely appropriate for individual diseases. In addition, a greater understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms may suggest the use of new therapeutic opportunities that, once proven effective, will aim to reduce the impairment of visual function and the disability associated with it, with consequent improvement in the quality of life in patients suffering from neuro-ophthalmological diseases.

Objectives

Reduce the impairment of visual function and the disability associated with it with consequent improvement of the quality of life in patients suffering from neuro-ophthalmological pathologies through:

1) the understanding of the dysfunctions of the neural circuits and neurodegenerative processes of the visual nervous system through the use of innovative diagnostic procedures;

2) the identification of innovative therapeutic approaches.

Expected results

1) Identification of innovative diagnostic procedures for understanding the dysfunctions of the neural circuits and neurodegenerative processes for a correct differential diagnosis between retinopathies and pathologies of the visual nervous system with related therapeutic implications;

2) Contribution to the understanding of dysfunctions of the neural circuits and neurodegenerative processes of the visual nervous system in animal models of human pathologies;

3) Contribution to the understanding of neural circuits dysfunctions and structural abnormalities of the visual nervous system that induce visual deficits in subjects with migraine with consequent possibility of diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic innovation;

4) Contribution to the understanding of the dysfunctions of the neural circuits and structural abnormalities of the optic pathways in amblyopia with consequent possibility of diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic innovation.