Zolmitriptan could be the solution to degenerative eye diseases

Degenerative diseases of the eye may soon have a more effective treatment. A study from Tufts University found a neurotransmitter drug called Zolmitriptan, which is already approved for human use, to help in nerve and neurotransmitter regeneration.

The study involved grafting an eye on the tail of a tadpole, rather than on the head where it usually sits. The goal of the experiment was to get the tadpoles to see with the grafted eyes, testing Zolmitriptan as the method to developing the nerves between the central nervous system and the relocated eye.

The results turned out to be fairly significant. Out of twenty-four tadpoles tested, eight of them were able to use colors as a cue in a learning task, clearly indicating that the tadpoles were able to see reliably. A success rate of 33% is a fair outcome for a test like this, but the remaining subjects are a source of motivation for researchers.

“The negative results mean we need to further improve control over the degree and path of neural connections from the eye to the CNS. We have ideas for doing this in the next work,” Michael Levin said, the leader of the study and professor at Tufts University.

Levin says the researchers used tadpoles because they are very adaptable animal. This acts as a litmus test for Zolmitriptan’s strongest effects. Tadpoles are susceptible to genetic manipulation, can be treated with neurotransmitter drugs, and have both learning ability and social behaviors; all of which are analogous to humans to some degree. Whether or not the human body can respond with the same plasticity is yet to be discovered, but Levin is confident that Zolmitriptan can have some positive effects in nerve innervation and regeneration.

“All of these bioelectric pathways are ancient and very likely to be highly conserved in humans,” Levin said. “I think it should work in humans. Possible hindrances are that human tissues grow more slowly, and it’s unknown what the degree of their plasticity is. There may be other surprises in store when we transition to mammals. We are testing that now, and I am quite optimistic.”

Zolmitriptan’s status as already approved for human use makes experimental trials on it a much easier process, and it is likely that it can play a significant role in the field of neurogenesis in the upcoming years.