Scientists develop animal model with age-related macular degeneration

London, Jan 31 : Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine have generated an animal model representing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), thus paving a way for developing new and better therapeutic treatments.

The team sensitized the immune systems in mice using oxidative chemicals and created AMD.

Stephen Rose, Chief Research Officer, Foundation Fighting Blindness said that the new model will extensively improve the development of better treatments and a potential cure for the disease.

"This is the first time that scientists have been able to create an AMD animal model that closely represents the disease in people," Nature Medicine quoted Rose, as saying.

"Though there are some treatments for the wet form of AMD, we still don't have a cure for the condition, and millions of people are still at risk of losing their vision to both the dry and wet forms. This new model will greatly enhance the development of better treatments and potentially a cure," he added. he study is published in January 27 online edition of the scientific journal Nature Medicine.

ANI