Ebook: New Insights Into Retinal Degenerative Diseases

Since 1984, we have organized satellite symposia on retinal degenerations that are held in conjunction with the biennial International Congress of Eye Research. The timing and location of our Retinal Degeneration Symposia have allowed scientists and clinicians from around the world to convene and present their exciting new findings. The symposia have been arranged to allow ample time for discussions and one-on-one interactions in a relaxed atmosphere, where international friendships and collaborations could be established. The IXth International Symposium on Retinal Degeneration was held on October 9-14, 2000 in Durango, Colorado and was attended by over 100 scientists from six continents. This book contains many of their presentations. Several events of note occurred at this meeting. First, thanks to the generous support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, we were able to sponsor the travel of 11 young scientists from six countries. Most of them have contributed chapters to this volume. The response to the travel program was so overwhelming that we will make it regular feature of our meeting. This will allow other bright, young investigators to be introduced to the world experts who study retinal degenerations. Second, about 40% of the scientists who attended this meeting were there for the first time. We believe that this indicates a growing interest in retinal degeneration research and ensures that new talent will be attracted to this important area of investigation. The symposium received support from several organizations.

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Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xii
Clinical Spectrum in Autosomal Dominant Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy with a Mutation in ELOVL4 Gene....Pages 1-9
X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa: Current Status....Pages 11-22
Clinical Variabity of Patients Associated with RDH5 Gene Mutation....Pages 23-28
Japanese Patients with Fundus Albipunctatus Caused by RDH5 Gene Mutations....Pages 29-35
Functional Analysis of AIPL1....Pages 37-44
Searching for Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in X-Linked Juvenile Retinoschisis....Pages 45-53
RP1 Mutation Analysis....Pages 55-61
The Molecular Basis of Achromatopsia....Pages 63-70
Characterisation of the CRX Gene; Identification of Alternatively Spliced 5’ Exons and 3’ Sequence....Pages 71-85
Rhodopsin Mutations in Sectorial Retinitis Pigmentosa....Pages 87-94
Chronic Administration of Phenyl N-TERT- Butylnitrone Protects the Retina Against Light Damage....Pages 95-103
Systems for Delivery of Vitamin A to the Retina in Retinitis Pigmentosa....Pages 105-110
Timecourse of bFGF and CNTF Expression in Light-Induced Photoreceptor Degeneration in the Rat Retina....Pages 111-118
Role of Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) in Photoreceptor Cell Protection....Pages 119-126
Characterization and Localization of Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Binding Sites in the Bovine Retina....Pages 127-133
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Prevents Photoreceptor Cell Death in rd-/- Mice by Blocking Functional Differentiation....Pages 135-144
Glycobiological Approach to Control of Retinal Degeneration....Pages 145-152
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Investigating Optic Nerve Regeneration in the Goldfish....Pages 153-161
Intact-Sheet Fetal Retinal Transplants can Repair Degenerated Retinas....Pages 163-173
Evaluation of an Artificial Retina in Rodent Models of Photoreceptor Degeneration....Pages 175-182
The Role of Fatty Acids in the Pathogenesis of Retinal Degeneration....Pages 183-196
Circadian Signaling in the Retina....Pages 197-206
Localization and Functional Analysis of Bestrophin....Pages 207-216
Pathogenicity of Myelin Basic Protein in Anterior Uveitis....Pages 217-222
A2E Inhibits Mitochondrial Function, Causes the Release of Pro-Apoptotic Proteins and Induces Apoptosis in Mammalian Cells....Pages 223-233
DHA Levels in Rod Outer Segments of Transgenic Mice Expressing G90D Rhodopsin Mutations....Pages 235-245
Application of Polymerase Chain Reaction in Deletion and Inversion of Internal DNA Fragments....Pages 247-253
The cGMP-Phosphodiesterase ?-Subunit Gene....Pages 255-267
Organization of the Chicken and Xenopus Peripherin/rds Gene....Pages 269-277
Changed Interaction of L-Type Ca2+ Channels and Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in RPE Cells from RCS Rats....Pages 279-285
Peripheral Rods Evade Light Damage in Albino Trout....Pages 287-300
SPACR in the IPM: Glycoprotein in Human, Proteoglycan in Mouse....Pages 301-307
Cone Arrestin Expression and Induction in Retinoblastoma Cells....Pages 309-317
Unusual Frequencies of Rhodopsin Mutations and Polymorphisms in Southern African Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa....Pages 319-328
Migratory History of Populations and its Use in Determining Research Direction for Retinal Degenerative Disorders....Pages 329-333
The Southwest Eye Registry....Pages 335-338
Back Matter....Pages 339-345
....Pages 347-355