Research on optic nerve head abnormalities may help treat MS

The results of this study on optic nerve head component (ONHC) response abnormalities suggest that further characterization of these abnormalities may contribute to the development of novel neurotherapeutics aimed at achieving neuroprotective, and perhaps even neurorestorative, effects in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other central nervous system disorders.

The authors studied the relationship between ONHC abnormalities in 18 patients with MS, 18 controls and three glaucoma patients.

MS patients exhibited a significantly increased number of abnormal or absent ONHC responses on mfERG.  

The authors say that changes in ONHC response characteristics across the retina could represent an important early marker of demyelination, for example, during the early phase of inflammatory optic neuritis.