Morphological And Functional Changes Of Locus Coeruleus In Primary Open-angle Glaucoma

Objective: To investigate the role of locus coeruleus(LC)palyed in pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)and intraocular pressure(IOP)regulation via POAG patients and glaucoma animal models.Methods: Data analysis of LC and other brain regions using resting-state functional MRI acquired from 22 POAG patients and 24 age-matched controls was accomplished.We generated glaucoma rat models(n=12)by episcleral vein ligation and cauterization,sham-operated rats(n=12)served as control.DBA/2J mice(n=10)which develop elevated IOP and glaucoma with age were acquired,age-matched C57 mice served as control(n=10).We then used immunohistochemistry to investigated the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and dopamine ?-hydroxylase(D?H)in LC in rats at 2 and 4 weeks after operation,immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were applied to test the expression of TH and D?H in LC in mice at 8-months-old,tunnel staining was also used to evaluate cell apoptosis in LC.Results: POAG patients showed significantly increased ALFF in LC,compared with controls.FC between LC and frontal lobe,insular lobe was decreased,while FC between LC and parahippocampal gyrus was increased versus control.Glaucoma model animals generated decreasing expression of TH and D?H in LC,as well as increasing cell apoptosis.Conclusions: This study provides novel evidence of morphological and functional changes of LC in POAG,accompanied by changes in some other brain regions.The results indicated that LC may act as a network in POAG pathogenesis and IOP regulation...