Roberto Santangelo1,2, Su-Chun Huang1,2, Maria Paola Bernasconi3, Monica Falautano3, Giancarlo Comi1,2, Giuseppe Magnani4, Letizia Leocani1,2,3,5. 1. Experimental Neurophysiology Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology-INSPE, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. 2. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. 3. Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. 4. Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. 5. Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathological hallmarks were found in retinas of AD patients. Several studies showed a significant reduction of neuro-retina thickness measured through optical coherence tomography (OCT) in AD patients, but possible correlations between retina morphology, cognition, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers (Aβ42, t-tau, and p-tau) have been poorly investigated so far. OBJECTIVE: In the present cross-sectional study, we measured the thickness of neuro-retinal layers through OCT searching for possible correlations with patients' cognitive performances and CSF AD biomarkers. METHODS: 137 consecutive subjects [43 with AD, 37 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 57 healthy controls (HC)], received an OCT scan acquisition to measure the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. In a subsample of 21 AD, 18 MCI, and 18 HC, the macular volume of ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and inner nuclear layer was computed. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and CSF AD biomarkers' concentrations were available in AD and MCI patients. RESULTS: Peripapillary RNFL, global, and in superior quadrant was significantly thinner in AD and MCI patients when compared to HC, while macular GCL volume was significantly reduced only in AD. RNFL thickness in nasal and inferior quadrants was correlated with single CSF AD biomarker concentrations, but no differences were found in retina morphology depending on the presence of a CSF profile typical for AD. Memory performances were positively associated with GCL and IPL volume. CONCLUSION: Our findings might propose OCT as a reliable and easy to handle tool able to detect neuro-retinal atrophy in AD in relation with cognitive performances.
BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathological hallmarks were found in retinas of ADpatients. Several studies showed a significant reduction of neuro-retina thickness measured through optical coherence tomography (OCT) in ADpatients, but possible correlations between retina morphology, cognition, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers (Aβ42, t-tau, and p-tau) have been poorly investigated so far. OBJECTIVE: In the present cross-sectional study, we measured the thickness of neuro-retinal layers through OCT searching for possible correlations with patients' cognitive performances and CSF AD biomarkers. METHODS: 137 consecutive subjects [43 with AD, 37 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 57 healthy controls (HC)], received an OCT scan acquisition to measure the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. In a subsample of 21 AD, 18 MCI, and 18 HC, the macular volume of ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and inner nuclear layer was computed. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and CSF AD biomarkers' concentrations were available in AD and MCI patients. RESULTS: Peripapillary RNFL, global, and in superior quadrant was significantly thinner in AD and MCI patients when compared to HC, while macular GCL volume was significantly reduced only in AD. RNFL thickness in nasal and inferior quadrants was correlated with single CSF AD biomarker concentrations, but no differences were found in retina morphology depending on the presence of a CSF profile typical for AD. Memory performances were positively associated with GCL and IPL volume. CONCLUSION: Our findings might propose OCT as a reliable and easy to handle tool able to detect neuro-retinal atrophy in AD in relation with cognitive performances.
Authors: Amir H Kashani; Samuel Asanad; Jane W Chan; Maxwell B Singer; Jiong Zhang; Mona Sharifi; Maziyar M Khansari; Farzan Abdolahi; Yonggang Shi; Alessandro Biffi; Helena Chui; John M Ringman Journal: Prog Retin Eye Res Date: 2021-01-15 Impact factor: 19.704