BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary arteriolar small-vessel disease caused by Notch3 mutations. A detailed definition of the neuro-ophthalmologic spectrum of CADASIL might provide new insights in the pathophysiology of small-vessel diseases. Therefore, this study aims to precisely delineate the features and the prevalence of the visual system impairment in CADASIL. METHODS: A cohort of 34 genetically confirmed CADASIL patients was enrolled in an observational cross-sectional study. Subjects underwent a complete neuro-ophthalmological evaluation. Clinical features and common cardiovascular risk factors were also considered. Data were compared with those already reported in previous studies. RESULTS: Both afferent and efferent visual structures were commonly impaired in CADASIL patients. Retinal microvascular changes such as arteriolar narrowing and arteriovenous nicking, described in most patients and detected also in asymptomatic carriers, reflect the typical hemodynamic changes of CADASIL. However, less frequent findings, like early macular and lens changes, would indicate a possible further role played by susceptibility to premature aging and degeneration. Cotton wool spots and vessel occlusions were not common. Finally, eye movement abnormalities suggest that the brainstem is particularly vulnerable to damage in CADASIL. CONCLUSIONS: Although no specific or prominent neuro-ophthalmologic finding can be considered as hallmark of the disease, afferent and efferent visual system abnormalities could be accounted as complementary markers to study cerebral small-vessel diseases.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary arteriolar small-vessel disease caused by Notch3 mutations. A detailed definition of the neuro-ophthalmologic spectrum of CADASIL might provide new insights in the pathophysiology of small-vessel diseases. Therefore, this study aims to precisely delineate the features and the prevalence of the visual system impairment in CADASIL. METHODS: A cohort of 34 genetically confirmed CADASIL patients was enrolled in an observational cross-sectional study. Subjects underwent a complete neuro-ophthalmological evaluation. Clinical features and common cardiovascular risk factors were also considered. Data were compared with those already reported in previous studies. RESULTS: Both afferent and efferent visual structures were commonly impaired in CADASIL patients. Retinal microvascular changes such as arteriolar narrowing and arteriovenous nicking, described in most patients and detected also in asymptomatic carriers, reflect the typical hemodynamic changes of CADASIL. However, less frequent findings, like early macular and lens changes, would indicate a possible further role played by susceptibility to premature aging and degeneration. Cotton wool spots and vessel occlusions were not common. Finally, eye movement abnormalities suggest that the brainstem is particularly vulnerable to damage in CADASIL. CONCLUSIONS: Although no specific or prominent neuro-ophthalmologic finding can be considered as hallmark of the disease, afferent and efferent visual system abnormalities could be accounted as complementary markers to study cerebral small-vessel diseases.
Authors: Vedat Cilingir; Muhammed Batur; Mehmet Deniz Bulut; Aysel Milanlioglu; Abdullah Yılgor; Abdussamet Batur; Tekin Yasar; Temel Tombul Journal: Neurol Sci Date: 2017-04-10 Impact factor: 3.307
Authors: Florian Alten; Jeremias Motte; Carina Ewering; Nani Osada; Christoph R Clemens; Ella M Kadas; Nicole Eter; Friedemann Paul; Martin Marziniak Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-11-05 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Ilaria Di Donato; Silvia Bianchi; Nicola De Stefano; Martin Dichgans; Maria Teresa Dotti; Marco Duering; Eric Jouvent; Amos D Korczyn; Saskia A J Lesnik-Oberstein; Alessandro Malandrini; Hugh S Markus; Leonardo Pantoni; Silvana Penco; Alessandra Rufa; Osman Sinanović; Dragan Stojanov; Antonio Federico Journal: BMC Med Date: 2017-02-24 Impact factor: 8.775