Retinal Disorders / AMD (continued)
The retina is the light-sensitive inner lining at the back of the eye. The retina contains millions of photo-receptors — light sensing nerve cells called rods and cones. Rods are extremely sensitive to light and dark changes, general shapes and movement, while cones are responsible for color vision and acuity.
The macula is a small region within the retina where the greatest number of cones is located. At its center is the fovea, containing only cones. Because of this high concentration of cones, the macula is critical to our ability to see color and detail.
The Human Eye
AMD degenerates rods and cones
In AMD, central vision is lost when the cone cells within the macula deteriorate and eventually die.
Stem cells protect rods and cones
When human neural stem cells are transplanted, photoreceptor cells — and vision — are preserved.
HuCNS-SC® Product Candidate
HuCNS-SC Cells
Human neural stem cells, when transplanted into the sub-retinal space of animals with retinal degeneration, have been shown to protect photoreceptors from progressive degeneration and preserve visual function long-term, suggesting a promising approach to treating retinal degenerative disorders such as AMD.