Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41021607›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Long-term functional rescue of trauma-induced vision loss by a novel, small molecule TrkB modulator.

Shweta Modgil, Christopher L Walker, Micah A Chrenek, Hans E Grossniklaus, Frank E McDonald, P Michael Iuvone

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Targeting prostaglandin catabolism via topical nanotherapy rescues vision in ischemic optic neuropathy.Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Shweta ModgilDepartment of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
Christopher L WalkerDepartment of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
Micah A ChrenekDepartment of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
Hans E GrossniklausDepartment of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
Frank E McDonaldDepartment of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
P Michael IuvoneDepartment of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.

Funding

P30-Core Grant for Vision Research Core CP30EY006360 · NEI · EMORY UNIVERSITY · PI NICKERSON, JOHN M · 1986 to 2025
$15.3M
VIsion Science Training in AtlantaT32EY007092 · NEI · EMORY UNIVERSITY · PI Machelle T. Pardue · 1985 to 2026
$4.6M
NEI NIH HHS P30 EY006360NEI NIH HHS T32 EY007092
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling through the tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor promotes neuronal growth and survival following an injury. However, its short half-life and pleiotropic effects limit the clinical use of BDNF as a therapy in neurodegenerative disorders. Identification of novel and selective TrkB activators may ameliorate the damage caused to retinal neurons during eye-related injuries and may reduce adverse visual outcomes associated with visual trauma. We previously described a small molecule, N-[2-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl) ethyl]-2-oxopiperidine-3-carboxamide (HIOC), that activates TrkB and reduces the decline in visual function in a mouse model of ocular trauma. Using the lead optimization approach, we subsequently synthesized a fluoropyridine analog of HIOC, 2-fluoro-N-(2-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl) ethyl) nicotinamide (HIFN), which also successfully activates TrkB. HIFN is a more potent TrkB modulator than the parent compound, HIOC. Further, treatment with HIFN demonstrated neuroprotection in an animal model of overpressure ocular blast injury, ameliorating blast-related visual functional decline. Mice treated with HIFN had better visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and retinal function supported by enhanced survival of retinal ganglion cells compared to vehicle-treated animals. Moreover, HIFN exhibited better protective effects than HIOC. The therapeutic effects of HIFN were attributed to TrkB activation, as blocking the receptor with a selective receptor antagonist (ANA-12) abrogated the neuroprotection. Together, our results identify HIFN, a novel TrkB receptor modulator, as a strategy for decreasing retinal degeneration and progressive vision loss associated with traumatic ocular injury. In addition, this compound may have broader applications in treating other diseases with altered TrkB activity.

Indexed as

Eye InjuriesNeuroprotective AgentsReceptor, trkBVision DisordersAnimalsBrain-Derived Neurotrophic FactorDisease Models, AnimalMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLRetinaBrain-Derived Neurotrophic FactorNeuroprotective AgentsReceptor, trkB

Identifiers

PMID41021607
PMCPMC12478906

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.