Abstract:

Objective    To assess the clinical effects of mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) on retinitis pigmentosa(RP).  Methods    22 RP patients (44 eyes) were treated with mNGF intramuscularly. Best-corrected visual acuity, perimetry and electrophysiological measures (EOG, F-ERG and P-VEP) were examined before and after treatment. Results    After therapy, the visions of most patients improved and their visual fields extended. The number of eyes whose scotopic F-ERG waves were undetectable decreased significantly (P<0.05). In the other eyes′ F-ERG waves, the amplitudes increased and implicit time shortened. The number of eyes whose P-VEP waves were detectable increased (P<0.05), the mean amplitude of P100 waves greatly increased (P<0.05),  and their implicit time shortened. The EOG traces became more undulant, and their Arden ratios and Gliem ratios obviously heightened (P<0.05). There was no complication in the treatment. Conclusion    Intramuscular injection of mNGF to treat RP is effective and feasible.

Key words: Retinitis pigmentosa; Mouse nerve growth factor; Therapy