Disease models

Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) is an acute ischemic injury of the optic nerve head, leading to irreversible vision loss (Berry et al., 2017). The technique of Rose Bengal–induced photothrombosis was first introduced by Mosinger et al. (1989) to model retinal ischemia. This approach was later adapted by Bernstein et al. (2003) to develop the first rodent NAION model by targeting the optic nerve head with laser after systemic dye injection. The resulting pathology includes optic nerve edema, inflammation, and rapid loss of retinal ganglion cells (Guo et al., 2016). The model is induced unilaterally, with a typical follow-up of 2 weeks.

Experimentica employs state-of-the-art in vivo imaging for longitudinal monitoring of NAION pathology. SD-OCT enables cross-sectional visualization of the optic nerve head and retina to assess edema and retinal layer thinning (Ragauskas et al., 2018). Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function is evaluated using pattern electroretinography (pERG), visual acuity and contrast sensitivity (OMR). RGC loss is confirmed by immunolabeling in retinal flatmounts, and optic nerve damage is assessed through histological sectioning and staining.

Technical details

Animal species

Rat

Method of induction

Rose Bengal intravenous injection and lasering of optic nerve head area

Follow-up period

2 weeks

Readouts

– Quantitative data from in vivo imaging and AI-driven segmentation analysis (SD-OCT)
– Functional assessment (ERG, VEP)
– Behavioral assessment (visual acuity and contrast sensitivity)
– Quantitative estimation of RGCs (stereology)
– Optic nerve evaluation