The world’s first centre dedicated to exploring the eye-brain link to detect neurological disease has been opened at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.
The Annesley EyeBrain Centre will explore the connections between the retina, optic nerve and disorders of the brain, potentially revealing novel treatments for neurological diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and dementia.
“Because of the anatomic and physiological connections between the eye and brain, ophthalmology and neurology are inextricably linked,” said founding executive director Dr Robert Sergott, an international expert in neuro-ophthalmology. “This is the perfect synergy. The Annesley EyeBrain Centre will leverage the strengths of the region’s most extensive neuroscience network with the nation’s leading hospital for vision care.”
The centre is a collaborative initiative between Thomas Jefferson University and Wills Eye Hospital and named in honour of ophthalmology pioneer and Jefferson alumnus Dr William Annesley. It will operate alongside Jefferson’s Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience. One of the Annesley EyeBrain Centre’s revolutionary areas of research involves mitochondrial function in the retina. Mitochondria are the main producers of energy for all types of cells, and their malfunction is implicated as the final common pathway in many neurologic and ophthalmic diseases.
“If you want to change the world, you have to think differently, and that’s what the team at the Annesley EyeBrain Centre will do,” said Jefferson Health CEO Dr Stephen Klasko. “At a time when far too many individuals are falling victim to debilitating, incurable disorders of the brain, the Annesley EyeBrain Centre will be more than a destination for premier neuro-ophthalmologic research and care - it will serve as a powerful beacon of hope. We are incredibly grateful to Margaret Annesley Hayne and the early philanthropic investors for their visionary support.”
