healthy mind, healthy sight

Healthy Mind, Healthy Sight.

Dr. Guy Eakin, BrightFocus Foundation

Dr. Elia Duh, Johns Hopkins University Dr. Seth Margolis, Johns Hopkins University

Healthy Mind, Healthy Sight.

BrightFocus Foundation

A Non-Profit Organization

Based in Clarksburg, Maryland

Supporting Research and Education to Save Mind and

Sight

One in 16 Americans, age 40 and above, has Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, or glaucoma.

The Need for Cures is Great

Support Innovative, Cutting-Edge Research BrightFocus has awarded more than 1,000 grants totaling $130

million. More than $26 million awarded in last four years.

Our Research Mission

Providing the Public with Information: Risk Factors Early Detection /Diagnosis Current Treatments Coping Strategies for Patients and Caregivers

Public Education

Glaucoma and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Elia Duh, M.D.Wilmer Eye Institute

Johns Hopkins School of MedicineOctober 30, 2013

Glaucoma and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Two of the most common causes of blindness in the United States

Risk factors:– AGE: especially over the age of 60– Family history– Race

Glaucoma

Glaucoma: – Fluid builds up in the

eye, so that the eye pressure rises

– This higher eye pressure can damage the optic nerve over time

Symptoms

Treatment

Research to improve treatments

Glaucoma

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD: – Eye condition among

people age 50 or older

– It gradually damages (and even destroys) the macula

Dry form of AMD

Wet form of AMD

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Symptoms

Treatments

Research to improve treatments for AMD

Alzheimer’s Disease

Dr. Seth MargolisJohns Hopkins University

Department of Biological Chemistry Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

October 30, 2013

Neurons

Synapses

Molecules

Behavior

Circuits

0 40 60 80 10020 (Years)

Genetic mutation andRisk factors

Misfolding and aggregation of Ab and tau followed by plaques and tangles

InflammatoryCell damage

Preventative

Modifying

Symptomatic

Cell death

Clinical diagnosis

Abnormal

Normal

Amyloid

NeuronInjury

Memory

DementiaMild

Daniel Colon-RamosKarl Deisseroth

Spine Abnormalities are a Hallmark of Cognitive Disorders

Reviewed in Ramakers et al. 2002, TINS

Unaffected Affected

Non-syndromic MRDown’s SyndromeRett SyndromeFragile X syndromePhenylketonuriaAngelman SyndromeAlzheimer’s disease

Spin

e de

nsity

Age

Wenbiao Gan

Dendritic Spine Density Changes with Development

anti-N-E5

anti-EphB2

Braak3 3 4 5 5 6Embry

onic

86 82 93 102 89 88

Genetic Cross Between Alzheimer Mice Models and Ephexin5 Knockout Mice

X

Female Male

Electrophysiological properties:Dendritic spine morphology: Learning and memory:

Alzheimer MiceEphexin5-/Ephexin5-

Ephexin5-/Ephexin5+

Alzheimer’s

If You Have Questions…

Visit our website:www.BrightFocus.org

Send us an email:info@BrightFocus.org

Give us a call:

1-800-437-2423