Alpha MSH in Ocular Disease

Duke University54 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is gain a better understanding of a molecule called alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha MSH) and its potential role in your retinal disease. Alpha MSH has been shown to have an important role in the regulation of ocular immunity in animal models of inflammatory retinal diseases and retinal dystrophies, and there may be a protective effect of alpha MSH. By studying the levels of alpha MSH in your eye we may better understand its role in advanced dry macular degeneration. By studying the levels of this molecule we hope to better understand if it may be a good target for future treatment.

A small amount (0.1 mL) of aqueous humor would be removed from the study eye in the clinic setting. This sample will be processed and then sent off for measurement of alpha MSH levels.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Advanced Dry Macular Degeneration

Interventions

Alpha MSH assayDEVICE

Assay to detect levels of alpha MSH in intraocular fluid.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 60 years or older * diagnosis of advanced dry macular degeneration with foveal geographic atrophy * limited vision or blindness (20/100 or worse) in that eye * pseudophakia (prior cataract surgery in that eye) Exclusion Criteria:

Locations (1)

Duke University Eye Center

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Level of Alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone as Measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Time frame: 2 hours

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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