Retinal microenvironment

We are interested in the microenvironment in which the neurons of the retina work. Studying the distribution and regulation of ions, substrates and metabolites allows us to understand aspects of cell biology, physiology and energy metabolism in the intact retina. Also, many blinding diseases are caused by problems with the vasculature and its ability to supply nutrients to the tissue. Our work provides insight into these diseases.
The focus of our current work is to understand the relationships between oxidative and glycolytic metabolism in the retina, and to work on animal models for diseases such as retinal vascular occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and photoreceptor degenerations.

e-mail Dr. Linsenmeier
ph: 847.491.3043
fax: 847.491.4928

Selected References:

• Wangsa-Wirawan, N. and Linsenmeier, R.A. (2003) Retinal oxygen: fundamental and clinical aspects. Archives of Ophthalmology, 121: 547-557.

• Padnick-Silver, L and Linsenmeier, R.A. (2002) Quantification of in vivo anaerobic metabolism in the normal cat retina through pH measurements. Visual Neuroscience, 19: 793-806.

• Hoang, Q.V., Linsenmeier, R.A., Chung, C.K., and Curcio, C.A. (2002) Photoreceptor inner segments in monkey and human retina: mitochondrial density, optics and regional variation. Visual Neuroscience, 19: 395-407.

• Linsenmeier, R.A. and Padnick-Silver, L. (2000) Metabolic dependence of photoreceptors on the choroid in the normal and detached retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 41: 3117-3123.

• Kang Derwent, J. and Linsenmeier, R.A. (2000) Effects of hypoxemia on the a- and b-waves of the electroretinogram in the intact cat retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 41: 3634- 3642.

• Padnick, L.B., Linsenmeier, R.A. and Goldstick, T.K. (1999) Perfluorocarbon emulsion improves oxygenation of the cat primary visual cortex. J. Applied Physiol. 86: 1497-1504.

• Linsenmeier, R.A., Braun, R.D., McRipley, M.A., Padnick, L.B., Ahmed, J., Hatchell, D.L., McLeod, D.S., and Lutty, G.A. (1998) Retinal hypoxia in long term diabetic cats. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 39:1647-57.

Other Links:

• Northwestern University Biomedical Engineering Department