Scientists Find Key Reason Aging Eye Struggles to Regrow Lost Neurons

A study by Upstate Medical University showed that with age, retinal glia is significantly worse at turning into new neurons. Anti-inflammatory steroids partially restored regeneration in old mice, which is important for treating glaucoma and neurodegenerative diseases.

• With age, retinal glia loses ability to turn into neurons
• Anti-inflammatory steroids partially restored regeneration in old mice
• Cause is inflammation and 'fatigue' of cells that live a lifetime
• Work published in PNAS and supported by NIH grants