A new study by Brown University researchers suggests that gold nanoparticles could be used to help restore vision in people with macular degeneration and other retinal disorders. In a study published in the journal ACS Nano, the research team showed that nanoparticles injected into the retina can stimulate visual cells and restore vision in mice with retinal disorders.
The findings propose a new type of visual prosthesis system that combines gold nanoparticles with a small laser device worn in goggles. This approach could potentially transform treatment paradigms for retinal degenerative conditions, according to Jiarui Nie, the lead researcher.
Unlike traditional approaches that require invasive surgery or genetic modification, this method uses nanoparticles injected directly into the retina to bypass damaged photoreceptors. When infrared light is focused on the nanoparticles, they generate heat that activates bipolar and ganglion cells, which process photoreceptor signals and send them to the brain.
The researchers tested the nanoparticle approach in mouse retinas and found that it successfully stimulated visual cells and restored vision. They also confirmed that the nanoparticles can stay in the retina for months with no major toxicity.
While more work needs to be done before the approach can be tried in a clinical setting, this early research suggests that gold nanoparticles could be a promising solution for restoring vision in people with retinal degenerative conditions.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/gold-nanoparticles-vision-amd-28659