Activation of adrenergic-2 receptors via the Gi signaling pathway by, e.g., brimonidine, or inhibition of adrenergic-1 receptors by, e.g., betaxolol, or of serotonin receptors via the Gs and Gq signaling pathways could counteract the decreased activity of Gi-coupled or the increased activity of Gs and Gq-coupled GPCRs and, thus, attenuate the subsequent photoreceptor death in these degenerative diseases. The gene discussed is GNAI1; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.