Cell therapy assisted autotransplantation of olfactory tract into the optic nerve: A potential treatment for optic neuropathy.

Optic neuropathy is an invaliding pathology with diverse clinical manifestation and varying causes. Current understanding of etiopathological aspects of optical neuropathy does not provide an effective treatment protocol. In this article we discuss existing treatment methods, and their effectiveness, evaluated depending on disease etiology. The olfactory tract is a source of olfactory ensheating cells, whose unique properties can have treatment potential in correction of nerve degeneration. Transplantation of an olfactory tract graft into the damaged optic nerve is a technically achievable intervention, though anatomical limitations exist in the proposed surgical access. Optic nerve defects can also be potentially treated with axon growth stimulating therapy (Zymosan and CTP-cAMP). Optic neuropathy can be potentially cured by autotransplantation of a portion of the olfactory tract. Neuroanatomical and histomorphological aspects of olfactory tract autotransplantation into the damaged optic nerve are provided. Feasibility, technical and anatomical features, potential setbacks and limitations are discussed. Anatomical limitations exist, but with current neurosurgical technology can be overcome. Regenerative potential of olfactory tract glial cells plays an important role in nerve restoration and can play a crucial role in further understanding of nerve degeneration treatment.