Activation of Nogo receptor (NgR) is an essential factor of nerve regeneration inhibition, neuronal atrophy and even apoptosis.

Immunohistochemical staining revealed that after inhibition of Nogo receptor expression in retinal ganglion cells of rats with diabetes mellitus, Rho-associated protein kinase-positive cells were reduced. Upregulation of NgR expression is an important cause of cell apoptosis and visual extinction in some diseases including glaucoma.