# Inner retinal dysfunction in retinitis pigmentosa

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2024 · $246,241

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common group of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), leading to
progressive photoreceptor degeneration and blindness. In addition to well-studied outer retinal dysfunction in
RP, there is a growing body of rigorous work highlighting cellular adaptations in the inner retina, likely due to
neural remodeling following deafferentation. The impact of this structural remodeling on the function of inner
retina, and its consequences for visual function, are at present poorly understood. Electroretinography (ERG)
provides a non-invasive method to assess inner retinal dysfunction both in the clinic and in animal models of
retinitis pigmentosa, providing a means not only to provide insights into these questions, but also to translate
mechanistic insights into potential therapeutic strategies for patients. The long term goal of the candidate is to
become an independent clinician-scientist with the skills necessary to pursue strategies to prevent or restore
vision loss in patients with IRDs. The scientific objective of the current proposal is to test the novel hypothesis,
supported by preliminary data using a novel ERG protocol in both patients and animal models of retinal
degeneration, that retinal remodeling leads to aberrant responses (noise) in inner retinal neurons that mask
responses to a visual stimulus. The overarching goal of the proposal is to provide the candidate with the
mentorship, skills, and support to realize a career dedicated to improve signal transmission in the degenerating
retina. This is an essential area of research, as aberrant inner retinal responses limit the potential for functional
improvement in all therapies that improve photoreceptor function. In Aim 1, the extent of inner-retina
dysfunction will be assessed using novel ERG techniques in human subjects with RP. Aim 2 will develop ERG
approaches to assess inner retinal remodeling in a mouse model of RP (the rd10 mouse model); Aim 3 will
define the functional impact of photoreceptor degeneration in intracellular recordings of retinal ganglion cells in
rd10 mice. This proposal describes a 4-year training program for developing an academic career focused on
understanding retinal dysfunction in IRDs under an outstanding team of multidisciplinary mentors dedicated to
the candidate’s objective of scientific independence. The proposal will leverage the candidate’s research
training in neuroscience and clinical fellowship training in IRDs and vitreoretinal surgery under a mentorship
team that has extensive experience in clinical retinal electrophysiology and psychophysics (Dr. Jason
McAnany), animal electrophysiology and genetics (Dr. Neal Peachey), and single cell electrophysiology and
imaging (Dr. Steve DeVries). Coursework and seminars will complement the mentorship team in the realization
of ethical basic and translational research. The institutional environment in the Department of Ophthalmology &
Visual Sciences at the Universit...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10896158
- **Project number:** 5K08EY034211-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert Hyde
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $246,241
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10896158

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10896158, Inner retinal dysfunction in retinitis pigmentosa (5K08EY034211-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10896158. Licensed CC0.

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