Objective
Research objectives and content
Nowadays, it is thought that the ideal antiglaucoma drug should not only lower intraocular pressure but also act as retinal neuroprotective agent either by improving ocular blood flow or, especially, by counteracting the mechanisms responsible for neuronal toxicity.
Among potential antiglaucoma drugs, topical calcium channel blockers may combine the characteristics being demanded for the ideal antiglaucoma drug. The topical application of L-type calcium channel blockers has been found to lower intraocular pressure both in rabbits and men. Nevertheless, it is unknown whether topical L-type calcium channel blockers can really act as retinal neuroprotective drugs, although a beneficial effect might be expected since retinal damage seems to be finally produced by extracelular calcium entry thorough voltage-gated calcium channels. Furthermore, it has not been yet examined whether other calcium channel blockers, such as those of the N-, P- and T-type, may also behave as ocular hypotensive and/or retinal neuroprotective drugs.
Therefore, this research project has the following main objectives: -To examine the potential retinal neuroprotective effect of topically applied L-type calcium channel blockers. -To examine whether N-, P- or T-type calcium channel blockers may also behave as ocular hypotensive and/or retinal neuroprotective drugs.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
By means of this, research project, the applicant aims to acquire the skills needed for studying the mechanism of retinal neurotoxicity and for the testing of potential neuroprotective drugs. If a retinal neuroprotective effect of topical calcium channel blockers were found in these studies, these drugs would be the first antiglucauma agents clearly showing both ocular hypotensive and retinal neuroprotective activity, a fact that may provide a prominent role for topical calcium channel blockers in antiglucauma therapy.
Links with industry / Industrial relevance (22)
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
OX2 6AW OXFORD
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.