Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13
Published: May 16, 2025
Transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES), a noninvasive therapeutic technique, has gained attention for its potential to treat retinal and optic nerve diseases. TES involves applying weak currents via electrodes on the cornea stimulate ganglion cells (RGCs) without causing activation of photoreceptors, inducing phosphenes, enabling evaluation inner function. This is valuable assessing residual activity in patients with photoreceptor or RGC degeneration. Furthermore, shown significant neuroprotective effects RGCs photoreceptors through mechanisms involving upregulation neurotrophic factors (e.g., insulin-like growth factor 1, brain-derived factor, ciliary factor), reduction inflammatory responses, enhanced ocular blood flow. These findings are supported by extensive animal studies, showing efficacy mitigating degeneration damage while promoting axonal regeneration. Clinically, improving visual function diseases such as RP, neuropathies, ischemic conditions; however long-term benefits remain challenge. Randomized controlled trials have indicated safety modest TES, suggesting an adjunct treatment impairments. Moreover, may extend beyond ophthalmology into neurology. Because retina anatomically connected brain, can influence brain regions cortex hippocampus. Preliminary research proposes modulating those retinitis pigmentosa (RP). demonstrated networks, cognition, emotional pathways, offering hope treating neurodegenerative Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s disease. In summary, represents versatile promising therapy neurological disorders, ongoing advancements will likely expand applications clinical practice. Further studies warranted optimize parameters, enhance efficacy, explore full potential.
Language: Английский