# Imaging spatial and temporal dynamics of retinal ganglion cells

> **NIH NIH R01** · TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $409,668

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Ganglion cells (GCs) and other inner retinal neurons are fundamental to retinal neural circuitry, processing
photoreceptor signals relayed from intermediate neurons for transmission to the brain. Yet, much remains
unknown about their role in vision and their vulnerability to disease leading to blindness. GCs in particular
are lost to neurodegenerative disorders such as glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and
multiple sclerosis. We also know from histology that a small fraction of these cells die each year as part of the
normal aging process. Unfortunately, techniques to assess population loss and general health of GCs and other
inner retinal neurons in vivo are limited. New optical modalities that are rapid, specific, and non-invasive
promise to greatly enhance our ability to monitor the spatial and temporal dynamics of inner retinal neurons.
This study takes advantage of unique optical instrumentation developed in my laboratory that combines
adaptive optics and optical coherence tomography to achieve cellular-level 3D imaging of the living human
retina. We will use this technique to investigate three specific aims that quantify the spatial properties of inner
retinal neurons and their change in aging and glaucoma. The long term goal of this research is to establish high
resolution, high specificity optical techniques as valid tools for probing structure and physiologic processes of
the retina at the cellular scale. The resulting ability to study cells in vivo will improve early detection of and
treatment monitoring for diseases that impact the retina.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9897531
- **Project number:** 5R01EY029808-02
- **Recipient organization:** TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Donald T Miller
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $409,668
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9897531

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9897531, Imaging spatial and temporal dynamics of retinal ganglion cells (5R01EY029808-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9897531. Licensed CC0.

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