Ricerc@Sapienza

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate ocular surface morphological and functional changes in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Methods: Twenty-eight patients with NF1 and 14 healthy subjects were included in this study. All participants underwent a medical history collection, a complete ophthalmological examination including slit lamp exam and assessment of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal sensitivity, and lacrimal function (Schirmer test and fluorescein tear break-up time test).

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration occurs within 2 weeks following optic nerve crush (ONC) as a consequence of reduced retro-transport of growth factors including nerve growth factor (NGF). The hypothesis that intravitreal (ivt) and eye drop (ed) administration of recombinant human NGF (rhNGF) might counteract ONC in adult rats is explored in this study. We found that both ivt- and ed-rhNGF reduced RGC loss and stimulated axonal regrowth.

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating neurological illness with a high economic burden. The additional morbidity associated with social issues that arises along with the course of this disorder increases the need for a clear understanding of its etiopathogenesis thus allowing an implementation of novel pharmacological strategies. Despite astrocytes have been long described to actively participate in the regulation of brain circuits, available information is still poor. Even less information is available about their precise role in the pathogenesis of illness.