UNASSIGNED: Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a critical risk factor in @entity726 , and the available evidence derived from experimental studies in primates and rodents strongly indicates that the site of IOP-induced @entity21 in @entity726 is at the optic nerve head (ONH). However, the mechanisms that cause IOP-induced damage at the ONH are far from understood. A possible sequence of events could originate with IOP-induced stress in the ONH connective tissue elements ( @entity5692 , scleral canal and lamina cribrosa) that leads to an increase in biomechanical strain. In consequence, molecular signaling cascades might be activated that result in extracellular matrix turnover of the @entity5692 , changing its biomechanical properties. @entity6475 might induce reactive changes in ONH astrocytes and cause astrogliosis. The biological changes that are associated with ONH astrocyte reactivity could lead to withdrawal of trophic or metabolic support for optic nerve axons and cause their degeneration. Alternatively, the expression of @entity2359 molecules might be induced. Unfortunately, direct experimental in vivo evidence for these or other scenarios is currently lacking. The pathogenic processes that cause @entity528 at the ONH in @entity726 need to be identified before any regenerative therapy is likely to succeed. Several topics and emerging techniques should be pursued to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms that are behind @entity528 . Among them are: Advanced imaging techniques, the development of in vivo markers to identify @entity21 , the generation of molecular approaches for in vivo detection of mechanosensitivity and for molecular manipulation of the ONH, a more complete characterization of retinal ganglion cells, the use of organ cultures, 3D-bioprinting, and the engineering of microdevices that can measure pressure. Questions that need to be answered relate to the specific roles of astrogliosis, neuroinflammation, blood flow and intracranial pressure in @entity528 at the ONH.

Biological aspects of XXXX in @entity726 : A brief review.

@entity726 :: ('MESH:D005901', 'Disease') :: ['glaucoma'] @entity6475 :: ('MESH:D013180', 'Disease') :: ['Peripapillary sclera strain'] @entity21 :: ('MESH:D001480', 'Disease') :: ['axonal injury', 'axonal damage'] @entity5692 :: ('MESH:D015422', 'Disease') :: ['peripapillary sclera'] @entity528 :: ('MESH:D009410', 'Disease') :: ['axonal degeneration'] @entity2359 :: ('MESH:D020258', 'Disease') :: ['neurotoxic']
@entity21 :: (MESH:D001480,Disease) :: ['axonal damage']
