Project Details
Projekt Print View

Fundus Autofluorescence imaging in Age-related Macular degeneration (FAM-Study) using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy

Applicant Dr. Christian Foja, since 1/2005
Subject Area Ophthalmology
Term from 2002 to 2008
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5374078
 
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in the industrialized world beyond 50 years of age. Several lines of evidence indicate that the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In postmitotic RPE cells autofluorescent lipofuscin granules accumulate with age in the lyosomal compartment mainly as a byproduct of constant phagocytosis of membranous disks shed from distal photoreceptor outer sigments. With the advent of confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy fundus autofluorescence (AF) mediated by RPE-lipofuscin can be visualized in vivo. During the first grant period (2000 - 2001) within the network of the priority research program ARMD we established a prospective multicenter trial (FAM-Study - Fundus Autofluorescence Age-related Macular Degeneration) to study variations in fundus AF in patients with ARMD. Additional work included the development of a standardized protocol for AF image aquisition, an automated digital image analysis system, a new classification for patterns of abnormal AF, preliminary data on the effect of elevated AF on retinal sensitivity as well as a set up for AF imaging in vitro. We plan to expand these studies to determine the role of increased AF for progression of disease, to distinguish different phenotypes and to identify novel prognostic factors. These investigations will be performed not only to better understand the role of lipofuscin accumulation in ARMD but also to amnipulate these mechanisms for both experimental and therapeutic ends.
DFG Programme Priority Programmes
Participating Person Dr. Almut Bindewald
Ehemaliger Antragsteller Professor Dr. Sebastian Wolf, until 12/2004
 
 

Additional Information

Textvergrößerung und Kontrastanpassung