OcuSciences

Research News: A new retrospective cohort study reveals a promising connection between curcuma-based nutritional supplements (CBNS)—like turmeric—and reduced risks of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or progression to its later stages. Led by Amer Alsoudi, MD from Baylor College of Medicine and Ehsan Rahimy and Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, MD,MHS from Byers Eye Institute at Stanford, researchers found that patients 50 years or older taking CBNS showed significantly lower risks of AMD, geographic atrophy, blindness, and need for anti-VEGF therapy compared to those not using CBNS. These results held consistent for older age groups as well. Key findings: - Reduced risk of all AMD forms: Patients taking CBNS had significantly lower relative risks for nonexudative, advanced nonexudative, and exudative AMD. - Decreased need for treatment: CBNS use was linked to lower rates of blindness and need for anti-VEGF injections. While these findings are encouraging, further studies are needed to confirm the safety and pharmacoprotective benefits of CBNS for AMD prevention. #Ophthalmology #MacularDegeneration #NutritionalSupplements #EyeHealth #Turmeric Ophthalmology Times

And that’s a wrap! The OcuSciences team had an exciting and productive meeting at American Academy of Ophthalmology 2024! Over the past few days, we had the privilege of connecting with brilliant minds across the field of ophthalmology, from industry to practitioners to researchers, all united by a shared goal — advancing eye care for patients worldwide. A special thanks to everyone who visited our booth, learned about our revolutionary ocular imaging modality, and shared valuable insights. Your engagement, questions, and interest inspire us to continue pushing the boundaries of ophthalmic diagnostics. We look forward to building on the momentum from AAO, continuing collaborations, and helping shape the future of retinal care. Stay tuned for what’s next! #AAO2024

We’re thrilled to be at #AAO2024, showcasing our fundamentally different way of imaging the eye at booth #1838. Stop by to learn more about MitoPhor and how it’s redefining functional imaging. #AAO2024 #OcuSciences #Mitophor #Ophthalmology

OcuSciences is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at this year’s American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) conference. We invite all attendees to visit us at Booth #1838 to learn more about our MitoPhor™ technology, which enables advanced retinal functional imaging. We look forward to connecting with you and discussing how our innovations are shaping the future of eye care. Visit us at Booth #1838 at #AAO2024.

OcuSciences is proud to share that we have been included on the Renaissance Venture Capital Startup Hotlist! The Hotlist features some of the most promising early-stage companies in Michigan, based on hundreds of recommendations from VC funds, and in connection with our participation in UnDemo Day. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dR_y32A cc: Chris Rizik, Jeffrey Rinvelt, Kimberly Reno, CPA & Christina Drake

MITO NEWS: Groundbreaking research that advances our understanding of mitochondrial dynamics is important for brain health. OcuSciences is excited to highlight a new therapy in development to protect against traumatic brain injury (TBI) but also a host of other mitochondrial dysfunction driven diseases including neurodegeneration by modulating mitochondrial fission. Key takeaways from the research: • Elevated Fis1 Levels: Unlike the well-documented increase in Drp1 seen in neurodegenerative diseases, this study found significant early elevation of Fis1 post-TBI, indicating a unique mitochondrial response. • Neuroprotective Treatment: Treatment with P110 showed promise in preventing cognitive impairment and preserving mitochondrial function when administered early after injury. • Chronic Effects: Delaying treatment until later stages did not provide the same protective benefits, highlighting the importance of timely intervention in TBI care. These insights are critical as they deepen our understanding of mitochondrial health and its implications for brain injury recovery. We applaud the researchers for their contributions to this vital field! Author: Andrew Pieper et al.

MITO NEWS: Did you know that light can do more than just illuminate? Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a groundbreaking, noninvasive technology that uses specific wavelengths of light to activate intracellular photo-acceptors, leading to significant biological changes. Unlike high-intensity lasers, PBM works without generating heat, offering a safe and effective treatment option. PBM has been a game-changer in treating conditions like wound healing and inflammation for decades. But recent studies have shown that PBM could be the key to managing various retinal and ophthalmic conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and more. At the core of PBM’s impact is its ability to enhance mitochondrial function, the powerhouse of our cells. By improving mitochondrial health, PBM not only boosts cellular energy but also combats oxidative stress and inflammation—critical factors in many degenerative eye diseases. https://lnkd.in/eMnjuqN6 Clark Tedford, LumiThera, Inc., Espansione Group

Exciting news from the Alzheimer's Association®’s International Conference! Data from a mid-stage trial (Professor Paul Edison) reveals that Novo Nordisk’s liraglutide, a once-daily diabetes and obesity drug, shows promise in slowing Alzheimer’s disease progression. Key Highlights: • Liraglutide (marketed as Victoza for diabetes and Saxenda for obesity) has been found to protect the brain and slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. • In a study involving over 200 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, those receiving liraglutide experienced an 18% slower decline in cognitive function compared to those on a placebo. • MRI scans showed nearly a 50% reduction in the shrinking of brain areas crucial for memory and decision-making in patients treated with liraglutide. These findings contribute to growing evidence that GLP-1 medications, popular for diabetes and weight loss, offer significant health benefits beyond their primary uses. With nearly 7 million Americans affected by Alzheimer’s, this research opens doors for potentially life-changing treatments.

MITO NEWS: A recent study by Sidney Gospe et al. highlights the unique sensitivity of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to mitochondrial dysfunction. Their research sheds light on the highly polarized structure of RGCs, with distinct somatodendritic and axonal compartments facing different physiological demands. Using an innovative protocol to isolate mitochondria from these compartments in mouse RGCs, Gospe identified 471 proteins in the somatodendritic compartment and 357 in the axonal compartment through mass spectrometry. Their findings revealed at least 13 specific mitochondrial proteins unique to or enriched in each compartment. The validation of these discoveries through immunofluorescence analysis underscores the compartment-specific mitochondrial protein compositions, offering promising insights for new therapeutic interventions targeting optic neuropathies. Authors: Romain Cartoni, Liam Lewis, Nikolai Skiba, Howard Bomze, Vadim Arshavsky #mitochondria #retinaldisease #mitochondrialdysfunction

Detecting glaucoma early is tough due to the lack of sensitive disease endpoints. At ARVO this year, Tiffany Heaster-Ford et al. authored an abstract that highlights subcellular dysfunction as an early marker of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration. Results: - Significant rise in mitochondrial ROS shortly after injury - Spectroscopic marker for mitochondrial dysfunction colocalizes with mitochondrial mass markers by 8 hours - Modest differences in mass and motility observed by 24 hours Key Findings: - Mitochondrial dysfunction precedes axon loss and visual decline - Elevated ROS in mitochondria is observed 4-24 hours post-injury - Changes in mitochondrial structure and motility detected within 24 hours Justin Elstrott, Pooja Teotia, Carmela Villegas, Marion Jeanne