Researchers were able to evaluate the effect of Simvastatin, a drug used to treat high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels in the blood, on photoreceptors exposed to oxidative stress. Results suggests this drug may have the potential to protect the photoreceptors. Studying the mechanism of how this drug works revealed that it may also provide anti-oxidative effects in the retina.
What this means for Usher syndrome: Because Simvastatin is already an approved FDA drug for the treatment of high cholesterol. This means that approval for treating retina disorders will be likely faster. If further research indicates that Simvastatin decreases oxidative stress in the retina, then this drug may become a possible treatment for the end stages of RP to slow down central vision loss.
