Retinal Neurodegeneration in the Course of Diabetes-Pathogenesis and Clinical Perspective

Title:Retinal Neurodegeneration in the Course of Diabetes-Pathogenesis and Clinical Perspective

Volume: 14 Issue: 8

Author(s): Aleksandra Araszkiewicz and Dorota Zozulinska-Ziolkiewicz

Affiliation:

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, inflammatory process, neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, retina.

Abstract: Diabetic retinopathy is generally considered as a microvascular disease which develops as a result of chronic hyperglycaemia. However, the neuronal apoptosis and reactive gliosis are recently postulated as early changes in diabetic retinopathy. This phenomenon is described as a neurodegeneration and suggests that diabetic retinopathy should be recognized as a neurovascular complication. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms leading to the neurodegeneration of the retina in diabetic patients including: low-grade inflammatory process, oxidative stress, activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, glutamate excitotoxicity and imbalance in the neuroprotective factors. Secondly, we point out the clinical significance of measuring the retinal neurodegeneration.

Cite this article as:

Araszkiewicz Aleksandra and Zozulinska-Ziolkiewicz Dorota, Retinal Neurodegeneration in the Course of Diabetes-Pathogenesis and Clinical Perspective, Current Neuropharmacology 2016; 14 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X14666160225154536