Ophthalmic Research
Linda K. McLoon, Ph.D., Professor,
Department of Ophthalmology
Office Phone (612) 626-0777, Lab Phone (612) 626-0778
Fax (612) 626-0781
website: www.lkmcloon.umn.edu
e-mail: mcloo001@umn.edu
Dr. McLoon received her B.S. degree in biology from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1974. She graduated in 1979 from the University of Illinois at the Medical Center in Chicago, receiving a Ph.D. in anatomy. She studied regeneration in the developing peripheral nervous system. Dr. McLoon did postdoctoral studies with Dr. Raymond Lund at the University of Washington and the Medical University of South Carolina, using a transplantation paradigm to study developing visual system connections. Dr. McLoon joined the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota in 1983.
Dr. McLoon's research has two main areas of focus. She is studying the extraocular muscles. The long term goal is to develop new drugs that may be used for the treatment of strabismus. In addition she is studying oxygen deprivation injury of the retina and optic nerve. The long term goal of this research is to test novel methods of delivery of neurotrophic factors that may have the ability to rescue the optic nerve and retina after injury.
Selected References
Christiansen SP, Anderson BC, McLoon LK. Botulinum toxin pretreatment augments the weakening effect of injection with ricin-mAb35 in rabbit extraocular muscle. J AAPOS 11:ePublished February 13, 2008.
McLoon LK. Invited Editorial Focus. Focusing on fibrosis: Halofuginone-induced functional improvement in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. ePublished February 29, 2008.
Anderson B, Christiansen SP, McLoon LK. Myogenic growth factors can decrease extraocular muscle force generation: A potential biological approach to the treatment of strabismus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis. Sci. 2008;49: 221-229.
Antunes-Foschini RS, Miyashita D, Bicas HEA, McLoon LK. Activated satellite cells in medial rectus muscles from patients with strabismus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis. Sci. 2008; 49:215-220.
Danylkova NO, Alcala SR, Pomeranz HD, McLoon LK. Neuroprotective effects of brimonidine treatment in a rodent model of ischemic optic neuropathy. Exp. Eye Res. 84:293-301, 2007.
McLoon LK, Thorstenson KM, Solomon A, Lewis MP. Myogenic precursor cells in craniofacial muscles. Oral Sci. 13:134-140, 2007.
Harrison AR, Anderson BC, Thompson LV, McLoon LK. Myofiber length and three-dimensional localization of neuromuscular junctions in normal and botulinum toxin treated adult extraocular muscles. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 48:3594-3601, 2007.
McLoon LK, Anderson BC, Christiansen SP. Increasing muscle strength as a treatment for strabismus: Sustained release of insulin growth factor-1 results in stronger extraocular muscle. J AAPOS 10:424-429, 2006.
Christiansen SP, McLoon LK. The effect of resection on satellite cell activity in extraocular muscle. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 47: 605-613, 2006.
Anderson BC, Christiansen SP, Grandt S, Grange RW, McLoon LK. Increased extraocular muscle strength with direct injection of insulin-like growth factor-I. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 47: 2461-2467, 2006.
Harrison AR, McLoon LK. Reduction in touch sensitivity and hyperinnervation in vesicant-injured rabbit eyelid by direct injection of corticotropin releasing factor. Neurosci. Lett. 400:30-34, 2006.
Danylkova NO, Pomeranz HD, Alcala SR, McLoon LK. Histological and morphometric evaluation of transient retinal and optic nerve ischemia in rat. Brain Res. 1096:20-29, 2006.