Macular degeneration is a medical condition where the light sensing cells in the macula malfunction and over time cease to work. It is the main cause of central vision loss in blindness today for those over the age of fifty.
Zinc link to leading cause of blindness macular degeneration
Macular Degeneration :: Zinc link to leading cause of blindness macular degeneration
An international research team led by scientists at the Institute of Ophthalmology, UCL (University College London), has found high levels of zinc in the deposits in the eye which are a marker of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly in the developed world.AMD is a form of macular disease which affects the eye's retina. An estimated half a million people in the UK have it, and 40 per cent of these are over 75. Despite the potentially devastating impact on patients? quality of life, no successful therapy to stop or reverse the progression of AMD is available in the majority of cases.
An early sign of the disease is the formation of microscopic structures called ?drusen? in the eye. Exactly what the effects of these are and why they form is not yet fully understood. Explaining the research, Dr Imre Lengyel, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, said: ?We have discovered that drusen in eyes with AMD have very high levels of zinc.
?Zinc had previously been shown to contribute to the formation of plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer?s disease, so it was logical for us to test the idea that zinc might also contribute to the formation of plaque-like drusen in the eye as well. AMD can be considered as the Alzheimer?s disease of the eye, in that both involve the build-up of proteins and metals like zinc and copper into microscopic clumps.
?What is particularly important is that within the zinc that we found, there is a small pool ? about 5-10 per cent ? of what is known as ?free? or ?loosely-bound? zinc. Generally, zinc is essential to keeping a molecule?s shape, but mobilised zinc can cause lots of problems. However, since it is a small proportion of the overall zinc pool, it?s straightforward to target it. That?s what researchers are beginning to do with Alzheimer?s disease, developing methodologies and drugs that can capture this mobilised zinc and see if it slows down the degenerative process. This study shows that we could now potentially take a similar route for AMD treatment.?
(Macular Degeneration :: Zinc link to leading cause of blindness macular degeneration published at SpiritIndia on Monday, March 26, 2007)
Macular Degeneration
Search more information on Macular Degeneration, Macular Degeneration booksRecently posted related articles on Macular Degeneration :
- Macular Degeneration :: Elevated inflammatory marker may be linked to increased risk of age-related eye disease
- Macular Degeneration :: Limiting refined carbohydrates may stall AMD progression
- Macular Degeneration :: USC biomedical team to participate in $6 million low vision project
- Macular Degeneration :: Research team finds link between zinc and macular degeneration
- Macular Degeneration :: Age-related Macular Degeneration Patient Receives Investigational Eye Drops
- Macular Degeneration :: Higher intake of fish and vitamin D levels linked to lower risk of age-related macular disease
- Macular Degeneration :: Genetic variants linked to advanced forms of age-related macular degeneration
- Macular Degeneration :: Award will enable researcher to bring lab discovery to clinical trial
- Macular Degeneration :: Zinc link to leading cause of blindness macular degeneration
- AMD :: March is age-related macular degeneration AMD awareness month
Most related articles:
- Macular Degeneration :: Zinc link to leading cause of blindness macular degeneration- Macular Degeneration :: Research team finds link between zinc and macular degeneration - 27.2
- Macular Degeneration :: Smoking may cause blindness - 23.5
- Macular Degeneration :: Lucentis - ranibizumab - therapy to improve vision - 22.9
- Antioxidant :: Antioxidants do not prevent degenerative eye disease - 21.7
- Eyes :: Vitamins, minerals & fish oil can slow progression of vision loss, AMD - 18.8
- Macular Degeneration :: Laser treatment does not prevent vision loss for people with early age-related macular degeneration - 18.5
- Macular Degeneration :: Award will enable researcher to bring lab discovery to clinical trial - 18.3
- Macular Degeneration :: Genetic variants linked to advanced forms of age-related macular degeneration - 16.9
- Eyes :: Carrots and spinach can cut macular degeneration risk - 16.6
Macular Degeneration - recent related articles/news stories:
- Antioxidant supplement CARMA improves vision in AMD- Eating fish, nuts, olive oil reduce AMD risk
- UCL–Pfizer to develop stem cell sight therapies
- Macular degeneration cases would rise in near future
- New gene identified for age related macular degeneration AMD
»» Dyscalculia :: The root of dyscalculia found in brain
«« Food Poisoning :: Dipstick test detects spoiled food, reduces food poisoning risk
The information provided on SpiritIndia.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. Spirit India comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information.
Health, Business, Science, Sports, Entertainment, Technology
©2002-2009 SpiritIndia.com
Health, Business, Science, Sports, Entertainment, Technology
©2002-2009 SpiritIndia.com