Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression cassette allowing expression of a functional LRIT3 protein in mammal eyes; said expression cassette is inserted in an expression vector, preferably an adeno-associated virus (AAV); accordingly, the present invention further relates to a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector carrying a nucleic acid sequence encoding a normal LRIT3 gene, or fragment thereof, under the control of regulatory sequences which express the product of the gene in the ocular cells, a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising such a recombinant AAV vector and to its use for the treatment of congenital stationary night blindness

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new gene therapy approach to increase light-sensitivity in degenerating cones in advanced stages of rod-cone dystrophy (RCD) mediated by G-protein-gated-K+ channel (GIRK), in particular GIRK2, activated by G proteins recruited by cone opsin expressed in degenerating cones for use in the treatment of patients with RCD.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reversibly stimulating neuronal cells in a subject. The devices include a module for generating ultrasounds at 4 MHz or more to stimulate neuronal cells expressing mechanosensitive channels with the ultrasounds. The methods include expressing mechanosensitive channels into neuronal cells and exposing the cells to ultrasounds at 4 MHz or more. Also, the use of the methods or devices for visual restoration in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new gene therapy approach to increase light-sensitivity in degenerating cones in advanced stages of rod-cone dystrophy (RCD) mediated by G-protein-gated-K+ channel (GIRK), in particular GIRK2, activated by G proteins recruited by cone opsin expressed in degenerating cones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence derived from the regulatory region of the human gamma-synuclein gene and having a promoter activity in retinal ganglion cells. The present invention also relates to expression cassettes or vectors comprising said promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of interest as well as viral particles or host cells comprising said expression cassette or vector. The present invention also relates to the use of said expression cassettes, vectors, viral particles or cells in the treatment of ocular disease, in particular ocular disease associated with retinal ganglion cell or photoreceptor cell degeneration.

Abstract: The invention relates to filter dedicated to protect eye cone cells and method associated. The eye cone cells protecting filter is intended to be applied to a transparent surface and to filter incident light for preventing eye cone cells of a user, from damages due to illumination at physiological light levels on the eye of said user, and having spectral characteristics to i) filter light wavelengths between 405 and 465 nanometers, and ii) transmit a filtered light reaching the eye cone cells and having a harmfulness on said eye cone cells under a predefined maximum threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising i) a nucleotide sequence coding for a hyperpolarizing light-gated ion channel or pump gene from an archeon or for a light-active fragment of said gene, or the nucleotide sequence and ii) a nucleotide sequence coding for a neurotrophic factor for use in the treatment of a retinal degenerative disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging device including a light source arranged so as to generate an optical signal, an optical support coupled to the light source and arranged so as to project a luminous excitation signal with a substantially constant light intensity, from the light source to a body to be observed during the use of the device, and an asynchronous camera coupled to the optical support and designed so as to generate a signal including, for each pixel of a first pixel matrix, a signal sequence representing asynchronous events corresponding to variations of the light backscattered by the body to be observed for the pixel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing at least one implant for focal electrical stimulation of a nervous structure, said implant being of the type including in a supporting structure a network of cavities at the bottom of which are placed microelectrodes, the cavities being bounded by walls erected and located around the microelectrodes, the supporting structure being produced beforehand by implementing the following steps: deposition and etching, in a planar manner, on an insulating substrate, of electrical contacts, of electrical tracks and of microelectrodes, first tracks electrically connecting the microelectrodes and the electrical contacts, second electrical tracks being electrically connected to a ground.

Abstract: Disclosed are, among other methods, methods for reactivating retinal ganglion cells in mammals by administering an effective amount of channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR), or an effective amount of such channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR) fused to a fluorescent protein, in the form of protein or nucleic acids, and compositions thereof. The methods may include a light stimuli level inducing RGCs response that is below radiation safety limit. The methods may include delivery by an adenoassociated virus vector. The methods may include use of a CAG promoter. The methods may result in a long term expression of an effective amount of the channelrhodopsins (such as ChrimsonR protein).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing at least one implant for focal electrical stimulation of a nervous structure, said implant being of the type including in a supporting structure a network of cavities at the bottom of which are placed microelectrodes, the cavities being bounded by walls erected and located around the microelectrodes, the supporting structure being produced beforehand by implementing the following steps: deposition and etching, in a planar manner, on an insulating substrate, of electrical contacts, of electrical tracks and of microelectrodes, first tracks electrically connecting the microelectrodes and the electrical contacts, second electrical tracks being electrically connected to a ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence derived from the regulatory region of the human gamma-synuclein gene and having a promoter activity in retinal ganglion cells. The present invention also relates to expression cassettes or vectors comprising said promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of interest as well as viral particles or host cells comprising said expression cassette or vector. The present invention also relates to the use of said expression cassettes, vectors, viral particles or cells in the treatment of ocular disease, in particular ocular disease associated with retinal ganglion cell or photoreceptor cell degeneration.

Abstract: A device for displaying an image sequence in the form of a pixel matrix, includes a control unit coupled to a projector. The control unit includes an input interface designed to receive asynchronous information representing, for each pixel of the matrix, events concerning the pixel, and a processor designed to control the activation of each pixel of the matrix at moments determined by the respective events indicated by the asynchronous information for the pixel. The projector is disposed on a support so as to illuminate the light receptors of the eye when the device is in use and is designed to project a light flux corresponding to the pixels activated by the control unit.

Abstract: Method of determining configuration of interferential filtering elements for an optical device having an optical substrate for a user, includes: providing a first set of parameters representative of at least one main line of sight of the user; determining a first selected range of angles of incidence based on the first parameters; providing a second set of parameters characterizing, for the user, a range of wavelengths to be at least partially inhibited; determining a first selected range of wavelengths of incident light to be at least partially inhibited, based on the second parameters; and configuring a first selective interferential filtering element and a first zone of a surface of the optical substrate based on the first selected range of angles of incidence and wavelengths such that the first selective interferential filtering elements inhibit, at a first rate of rejection, transmission of the first selected range of wavelengths of incident light.

Abstract: A biocompatible carbon based electrode, and its preparation process are described. The electrode is formed by first and second biocompatible chemically oxygen terminated or H-terminated carbon-based materials. The first material is configured to promote the growth or at least the direct interfacing of adult neurons on the first material without substantially promoting the growth and direct interfacing of glial cells on the first material. The second material presents a peptide coating to promote the growth and at least the direct interfacing of adult glial cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging device including a light source arranged so as to generate an optical signal, an optical support coupled to the light source and arranged so as to project a luminous excitation signal with a substantially constant light intensity, from the light source to a body to be observed during the use of the device, and an asynchronous camera coupled to the optical support and designed so as to generate a signal including, for each pixel of a first pixel matrix, a signal sequence representing asynchronous events corresponding to variations of the light backscattered by the body to be observed for the pixel.

Abstract: A device for displaying an image sequence in the form of a pixel matrix, includes a control unit coupled to a projector. The control unit includes an input interface designed to receive asynchronous information representing, for each pixel of the matrix, events concerning the pixel, and a processor designed to control the activation of each pixel of the matrix at moments determined by the respective events indicated by the asynchronous information for the pixel. The projector is disposed on a support so as to illuminate the light receptors of the eye when the device is in use and is designed to project a light flux corresponding to the pixels activated by the control unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising i) a nucleotide sequence coding for a hyperpolarizing light-gated ion channel or pump gene from an archeon or for a light-active fragment of said gene, or the nucleotide sequence and ii) a nucleotide sequence coding for a neurotrophic factor for use in the treatment of a retinal degenerative disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to taurine or taurine-like substances for the prevention and treatment of a disease associated with retinal ganglion cell degeneration. More particularly the invention relates to a substance selected from the group consisting of taurine, a taurine precursor, a taurine metabolite, a taurine derivative, a taurine analog and a substance required for the taurine biosynthesis for the prevention and treatment of a disease associated with retinal ganglion cell degeneration.

Abstract: The use of substance selected from taurine, a taurine precursor, a taurine metabolite, a taurine derivative, a taurine analog and a substance required for the taurine biosynthesis, for preventing or inhibiting the undesirable side-effects caused to a human or an animal organism by an active ingredient that induces a high level of extracellular GABA or increases GABA receptor activation, and a pharmaceutical composition including the substance and the active ingredient.