Effects of caloric restriction on retinal aging and neurodegeneration

Abstract

Glaucoma is the most common neurodegenerative cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Restricted caloric regimens are an attractive approach for delaying the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we review the current literature on the effects of caloric restriction on retinal neurons, under physiological and pathological conditions. We focused on autophagy as one of the mechanisms modulated by restricted caloric regimens and involved in the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) over the course of glaucoma.

Keywords: AMPK; Aging; Autophagy; Caloric restriction; Glaucoma; Neurodegeneration; Retina; SIRT1.