ESR1 – Intracranial pressure measured noninvasively in patients with normal tension glaucoma 

Supervisors: Prof. Nomdo Jansonius (http://www.nomdo.nl/research.htm)

                            Dr. Pim van Dijk

Background & Interests:  My name is Allie Loiselle and I received my bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Rhode Island in the US. Toward the end of my bachelor’s I took an interest in extreme physiology, interning at the US Naval Submarine Medical Research Lab (NSMRL).  After graduation I was offered a position and continued research on dive and aviation physiology.  I then completed my masters in Space Physiology & Health at King’s College in London.  

Despite my interest in extreme physiology, I would also like to apply the knowledge I have acquired to a more global concern.  Specifically, my knowledge of neuroscience/vision in space lead me to the PhD position in Ophthalmology here in Groningen.

Aim of the project:  Previously, an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) was deemed to be the key factor in the pathophysiology of Glaucoma.  However, it has been found that there is a large proportion of patients with glaucomatous damage that have a normal IOP (normal tension glaucoma, or NTG).  One reason for this may be a pressure difference between IOP and intracranial pressure (ICP).  My project is to determine a noninvasive method for measuring ICP in glaucoma patients.

Future plans: Ideally in the future I would like to transition into an industry position for a medtech/teleophthalmology company that focuses on preventable blindness in low income and low access areas across the world.

Secondments:

Personal links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-loiselle-6719476a