Publications by authors named "Gareth Essex"
Article Synopsis
- Ocular repeated air blast injuries can cause damage to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through repeated low overpressure blasts, leading to retinal cell death mediated by caspase-2.
- In a mouse model, researchers tested siRNA targeting caspase-2 at different times (pre- and post-blast) to see its effects on RGCs and optic nerve (ON) axons after traumatic injury.
- Results showed that timing of siRNA injections significantly influenced retinal inflammation and degeneration, but overall RGC counts remained unchanged, suggesting the treatment may not be effective for neuroprotection after blast injuries.
Article Synopsis
- Primary blast injuries from explosions lead to significant vision loss and damage to the retina and optic nerve, especially for military personnel exposed to multiple blast waves.
- In a mouse study, researchers explored the necroptotic cell death pathway after repeated ocular blast injuries and tested a necroptosis inhibitor, Necrostatin-1s (Nec-1s), to see if it could protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).
- Findings indicated that while inhibiting necroptosis reduced RGC loss compared to control injections, it did not prevent overall cell death and actually increased inflammation after the blasts, raising concerns about the effects of intravitreal injections.
