Neurological diseases are diseases in which cells and nervous system connections stop working or die. These connections are essential for mobility, coordination, strength, sensation, and cognition. In NZ, stroke, concussion, traumatic brain injury, migraine multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, Huntington’s and schizophrenia are some of the major neurological conditions in NZ. Neurological conditions often get worse over time and (often) have no cure. They may be genetic or be caused by a tumour or stroke. Vision Research Foundation aims to use novel approaches to identify the genetic, cellular, and chemical basis of these diseases to develop and assess new treatment strategies.
Dineo works as a research fellow for the Eye Institute, the Vision Research Foundation, and the Mātai Medical Research Institute.She is involved in several cutting-edge research projects geared towards advancing ophthalmic care and improving patient outcomes.
Dr Schierding’s research will explore the relationship between telomere length and major causes of blindness, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic eye disease, using innovative big data analytical techniques and the UK Biobank. The study has the potential to enhance research and medical education and disrupt conventional approaches to healthcare.
IH NZ’s mission to improve patient quality of life and prevent blindness from idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
The optic nerve is the vital structure that transmits the electrical signal from the retina in to the brain allowing us to see. Many conditions can damage the optic nerve in children but some are rare and not well understood. Research focusing on these rare optic nerve diseases (neuropathies) include those arising from raised intracranial…
Glaucoma is not well understood. It is a progressive disease of the optic nerve, located at the back of the eye. It is recognised that elevated eye pressure, or intraocular pressure (IOP), is a risk factor for the development of glaucoma. However, only 40-50% of glaucoma patients have elevated IOP. Furthermore, not all individuals with…
One of the major medical challenges for interplanetary travel is that long periods without gravity can cause worsening vision. Vision Research Foundation (VRF) and the Rapanui Trust are supporting this study at Mātai Charitable Trust, medical imaging research organisation, based in Gisborne. The research is led by Dr Jesse Gale with a team that includes other eye…
Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma are two age-related neurodegenerative diseases that frequently co-occur in the elderly and may share key disease pathways. Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and is the leading cause of preventable blindness in Aotearoa. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, affecting 70,000 New Zealanders. It…
Telomeres are structures made from DNA sequences and proteins found at the ends of chromosomes. The play a crucial role in a crucial role in cell fate and aging. In young humans, telomeres are approximately 8,000-10,000 nucleotides long. Telomeres have three major purposes; Protection: they protect the end of chromosomes by forming a cap. Without telomeres,…
Vision Research Foundation is a registered charity with the New Zealand Charities Register, CC59798
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