Coma, retinal ailments, retinal ganglion cells, endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids. 1. INTRODUCTION: GLAUCOMA AND RETINAL NEURODEGENERATION Glaucoma comprises a group of eye issues that could lead to progressive and/or irreversible blindness. It affects the elderly but is becoming far more widespread also among younger individuals and also youngsters [1, 2]. Glaucoma is generally brought on by increased intraocular stress (IOP), even though other components are involved for instance progressive damage of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), generally known as “the messengers of retina”, leading to optic nerve degeneration [35]. These conditions cause distinct visual field defects, and at some point complete vision loss [6]. In turn, apoptotic death of RGCs inAddress correspondence to these authors at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; Tel: 39 0861 266842; Email: [email protected] as well as the Division of Medicine, Campus BioMedico University of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy; Tel: 39 06 225419169; E mail: [email protected] 1570159X/18 58.00.glaucoma is as a result of distinctive defects inside the connection amongst central nervous technique (CNS) and retina, including faults of reactive glia, synaptic connectivity and axonal transport, neurotrophic aspect deprivation, proapoptotic signaling activation of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, at the same time as excitotoxicity and oxidative pressure [7, 8]. Apart from glaucoma, RGC neurodegeneration occurs in a number of other ocular pathologies for instance diabetic retinopathy (DR), agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) and a few inherited retinal problems at the same time as in Alzheimer’s illness and Parkinson’s disease, exactly where the retina appears to become an early internet site of harm [911]. But, signs of pigmentary retinopathy and degeneration of retinal nerve fibers have been identified in yet another form of neurodegenerative disorder referred to as autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias [12, 13]. Other areas potentially impacted are retinal microvessels, in DR [14], and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors, with each other with vascular and RGC damages, in AMD [15, 16].018 Bentham Science Publishers960 Existing Neuropharmacology, 2018, Vol. 16, No.Rapino et al.So far essentially the most helpful intervention utilized to block glaucoma 2-Methylbenzoxazole Biological Activity progression is the administration of drugs capable of lowering IOP, while several individuals have IOP inside the regular variety and illness progression can continue even when IOP is proficiently lowered [17, 18]. Furthermore, glaucomatous harm is not limited for the eye, nevertheless it also involves central visual pathways and vascular illnesses of the CNS [19]. Certainly, neurodegeneration in glaucoma shares many pathway components with other retinal and nonretinal neurodegenerative ailments, to Perospirone Technical Information ensure that an revolutionary therapeutic method is now to maintain RGCs and photoreceptors alive to prevent irreversible damage of optic nerve, too as synaptic connectivity and retinal microvascular alterations [20, 21]. Interestingly, the 5 most common classes of drugs made use of topically to lower IOP (2agonists, antagonists/blockers, prostaglandin analogs, carbonic anhydrase and cholinergic agents) possess an indirect neuroprotective action on the retina and/or optic nerve, by triggering mechanisms that include things like neuronal, glial and vascular pathways [2224]. Alternatively, lots of potential biochemical pathways are activated inside a receptordependent or independent manner by numerous natural and synthetic compounds, that directly present neuroprotection: antioxida.