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Documenta Ophthalmologica
Published in: Documenta Ophthalmologica 3/2012

01-12-2012 | Original Research Article

Detailed functional and structural characterization of a macular lesion in a rhesus macaque

Authors: M. Dominik Fischer, Ditta Zobor, Georgios A. Keliris, Yibin Shao, Mathias W. Seeliger, Silke Haverkamp, Herbert Jägle, Nikos K. Logothetis, Stelios M. Smirnakis

Published in: Documenta Ophthalmologica | Issue 3/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

Animal models are powerful tools to broaden our understanding of disease mechanisms and to develop future treatment strategies. Here we present detailed structural and functional findings of a rhesus macaque suffering from a naturally occurring bilateral macular dystrophy (BMD), partial optic atrophy and corresponding reduction of central V1 signals in visual fMRI experiments when compared to data in a healthy macaque (CTRL) of similar age.

Methods

Retinal imaging included infrared and autofluorescence recordings, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) on the Spectralis HRA + OCT platform. Electroretinography included multifocal and Ganzfeld-ERG recordings. Animals were killed and eyes analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Angiography showed reduced macular vascularization with significantly larger foveal avascular zones (FAZ) in the affected animal (FAZBMD = 8.85 mm2 vs. FAZCTRL = 0.32 mm2). OCT showed bilateral thinning of the macula within the FAZ (total retinal thickness, TRTBMD = 174 ± 9 µm) and partial optic nerve atrophy when compared to control (TRTCTRL = 303 ± 45 µm). Segmentation analysis revealed that inner retinal layers were primarily affected (inner retinal thickness, IRTBMD = 33 ± 9 µm vs. IRTCTRL = 143 ± 45 µm), while the outer retina essentially maintained its thickness (ORTBMD = 141 ± 7 µm vs. ORTCTRL = 160 ± 11 µm). Altered macular morphology corresponded to a preferential reduction of central signals in the multifocal electroretinography and to a specific attenuation of cone-derived responses in the Ganzfeld electroretinography, while rod function remained normal.

Conclusion

We provided detailed characterization of a primate macular disorder. This study aims to stimulate awareness and further investigation in primates with macular disorders eventually leading to the identification of a primate animal model and facilitating the preclinical development of therapeutic strategies.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Detailed functional and structural characterization of a macular lesion in a rhesus macaque
Authors
M. Dominik Fischer
Ditta Zobor
Georgios A. Keliris
Yibin Shao
Mathias W. Seeliger
Silke Haverkamp
Herbert Jägle
Nikos K. Logothetis
Stelios M. Smirnakis
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Documenta Ophthalmologica / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0012-4486
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2622
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-012-9340-3

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