Abstract
Presentation Description :
Damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an initiating factor that eventually culminates in vision loss in macular degenerations. Therefore, drugs that preserve RPE health and function could halt AMD at its earliest stages. We have recently identified ceramide as a novel drug target in AMD because it regulates complement activity, metabolic dysfunction and inflammation, three pathways implicated in AMD pathogenesis. This presentation will discuss our recent studies showing that clinically approved drugs that decrease RPE ceramide correct multiple dysfunctional pathways implicated in early AMD.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.