Therapies for Retinal Degeneration. Targeting Common Processes

The Cellular Course of Retinal Degenerative Conditions; Immune response of the Retina; Modulation of Calcium Overload and Calpain Activity; CNS Targets for the Treatment of Retinal Dystrophies: a Win-Win Strategy; Modulation of p75NTR/proNGF as a Therapeutic Approach for Degenerative Retinopathies; Modulation of cGMP-signalling to Prevent Retinal Degeneration; PEDF Peptides in Retinal Degenerations; Beyond Anti-Inflammation: Steroid Induced Neuroprotection in the Retina; Alternative Experimental Models of Ciliary Trafficking and Dysfunction in the Retina; Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Diseases Affecting the Retina and Optic Nerve; Gene Therapies for Retinal Degenerations; Stem Cell Therapies for Retinal Repair and Regeneration; The Application of Lipid Nanoparticles for Retinal Degenerative Diseases; Biologicals in Retinal Therapy; Subject Index

Sight loss and blindness is a very prevalent cause of disability. Retinal diseases leading to visual loss affect many people worldwide and the search for adequate drugs remains a challenge and an important area of interest in the drug discovery field. This book addresses approaches to the treatment of retinal diseases, targeting common processes and components. Despite their causative origins, which comprise genetic dystrophies, age-related degenerations, as well as pathologies associated with other diseases, a neurodegenerative component appears, sooner or later, in the course of the disease. As is the case for most neurodegenerative diseases, the available treatments are far from satisfactory. The aim of this book is to highlight research and drug development efforts in targeting such common processes as a potential path to provide treatments to the millions of affected people.