Recipients

The human optic nerve is a unique central nervous system structure that is susceptible to diseases affecting both the central and peripheral nervous systems. To date, magnetic resonance imaging is the best available option for imaging the optic nerve in living subjects, but it has serious limitations.

Dr. Edward J Atkins plans to obtain highly defined images of the optic nerve – along with the surrounding structures and vasculature – using a synchrotron line beam. Synchrotron based imaging of the optic nerve in living subjects has not previously been attempted, and at present it is not known whether highly detailed and reproducible images of the optic nerve and surrounding structures can be produced using the synchrotron.

If Dr. Atkins is successful in obtaining detailed images of the optic nerves, the data will contribute to global understanding of the wide variety of pathological processes that can affect the optic nerve. It will also dramatically increase the potential ability to treat optic neuropathies and reduce the incidence of vision loss.

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