Involuntary eye movements could be targeted by restoring retinal dopamine, mouse experiments suggest
Researchers have discovered that restoring dopamine signaling in the retina can stop abnormal electrical signals linked to nystagmus, or involuntary eye movements. Experiments on mouse models suggest this could potentially improve visual acuity and treat conditions like congenital stationary night blindness.
Why it matters
This finding shifts the understanding of nystagmus from a brain-based issue to a retinal one, opening new pathways for potential medical treatments.
by Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add to Preferred Sources Dopamine suppresses RGC oscillations ex vivo in Nyx nob mice. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2535572123 Researchers have found a possible way to stop abnormal signals in the retina that are linked to involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). In experiments on mouse retinas in the lab, restoring dopamine signaling stopped these abnormal signals and reduced the "noise" that interferes with visual signals—offering a potential dual benefit of quieting the abnormal eye movements while also increasing visual acuity. The next step is to find out whether the approach also works in living animals.
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