Quantitative MEMRI Mapping of Ion Channel Regulation by Visual Cycle Activity in Rodent Photoreceptors In Vivo

Bruce Berkowitz¹, Robin Roberts¹, Dave Bissig¹

There is an absence of therapies for evaluating gene and other therapeutic approaches for retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. Quantitative testing of biological hypotheses using non-invasive methods for studying inner and outer retina function with high spatial resolution is expected to improve the development of new treatment options, but such testing is not currently possible. The results of the proposed experiments lay the groundwork of future investigations focused on how to more rapidly identify promising pharmaceuticals, drug targets, and schedules for intervention based on MEMRI metrics. Such pre-clinical diagnosis and prognosis are not currently possible.