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Almidani L, Mihailovic A, Varadaraj V, Swenor BK, Ramulu PY. Longitudinal Changes in Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity and Incident Dementia. Am J Ophthalmol 2024:S0002-9394(24)00246-0. [PMID: 38866358 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the impact of baseline and change in vision on the risk of developing dementia. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS This longitudinal analysis utilized data from the 2021 and 2022 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Binocular presenting vision was assessed, including distance (DVA) and near (NVA) visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity (CS). Dementia status was defined based on: 1) medical diagnosis of dementia, 2) dementia score, or 3) poor cognitive test performance. RESULTS Of the 2,159 adults included in this study, weighted mean (SD) age was 77.9 years (5.2), with the majority being female (weighted: 54%), and White (88%). The baseline median (interquartile range [IQR]) DVA was 0.08 (0-0.20) logMAR, NVA was 0.17 (0.09-0.26) logMAR, and CS was 1.80 (1.65-1.85) logCS. Over the 1-year follow up period, 192 (6.6%) adults developed dementia. In time-to-event analyses, baseline DVA (HR: 1.08 [95% CI: 1.02-1.14], per 0.1 logMAR), NVA (HR: 1.07 [95% CI: 1.01-1.13], per 0.1 logMAR), and CS (HR: 1.09 [95% CI: 1.03-1.15], per 0.1 logCS) were associated with greater likelihood of incident dementia. Further, change in CS (HR: 1.14 [95% CI: 1.04-1.25], per 0.1 logCS worse/year), but not VA, was associated with greater likelihood of incident dementia. CONCLUSIONS Worse baseline VA and CS are associated with greater likelihood of incident dementia. Further, worsening CS over time, but not VA, was associated with higher likelihood of incident dementia. Future work is needed to study interventions targeted at improving vision deficits and examine their impact on decreasing dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louay Almidani
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Aleksandra Mihailovic
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Varshini Varadaraj
- Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
| | - Bonnielin K Swenor
- Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD; Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Pradeep Y Ramulu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Gaire BP, Koronyo Y, Fuchs DT, Shi H, Rentsendorj A, Danziger R, Vit JP, Mirzaei N, Doustar J, Sheyn J, Hampel H, Vergallo A, Davis MR, Jallow O, Baldacci F, Verdooner SR, Barron E, Mirzaei M, Gupta VK, Graham SL, Tayebi M, Carare RO, Sadun AA, Miller CA, Dumitrascu OM, Lahiri S, Gao L, Black KL, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology in the Retina. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 101:101273. [PMID: 38759947 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The retina is an emerging CNS target for potential noninvasive diagnosis and tracking of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies have identified the pathological hallmarks of AD, including amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposits and abnormal tau protein isoforms, in the retinas of AD patients and animal models. Moreover, structural and functional vascular abnormalities such as reduced blood flow, vascular Aβ deposition, and blood-retinal barrier damage, along with inflammation and neurodegeneration, have been described in retinas of patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD dementia. Histological, biochemical, and clinical studies have demonstrated that the nature and severity of AD pathologies in the retina and brain correspond. Proteomics analysis revealed a similar pattern of dysregulated proteins and biological pathways in the retina and brain of AD patients, with enhanced inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes, impaired oxidative-phosphorylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Notably, investigational imaging technologies can now detect AD-specific amyloid deposits, as well as vasculopathy and neurodegeneration in the retina of living AD patients, suggesting alterations at different disease stages and links to brain pathology. Current and exploratory ophthalmic imaging modalities, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT-angiography, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, and hyperspectral imaging, may offer promise in the clinical assessment of AD. However, further research is needed to deepen our understanding of AD's impact on the retina and its progression. To advance this field, future studies require replication in larger and diverse cohorts with confirmed AD biomarkers and standardized retinal imaging techniques. This will validate potential retinal biomarkers for AD, aiding in early screening and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhakta Prasad Gaire
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Haoshen Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Altan Rentsendorj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ron Danziger
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Vit
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nazanin Mirzaei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonah Doustar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julia Sheyn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Harald Hampel
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Andrea Vergallo
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Miyah R Davis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ousman Jallow
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Ernesto Barron
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mourad Tayebi
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Roxana O Carare
- Department of Clinical Neuroanatomy, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carol A Miller
- Department of Pathology Program in Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Shouri Lahiri
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Applied Cell Biology and Physiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Zhang NK, Zhang SK, Zhang LI, Tao HW, Zhang GW. Sensory processing deficits and related cortical pathological changes in Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1213379. [PMID: 37649717 PMCID: PMC10464619 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1213379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting cognitive functions. However, sensory deficits in AD start to draw attention due to their high prevalence and early onsets which suggest that they could potentially serve as diagnostic biomarkers and even contribute to the disease progression. This literature review examines the sensory deficits and cortical pathological changes observed in visual, auditory, olfactory, and somatosensory systems in AD patients, as well as in various AD animal models. Sensory deficits may emerge at the early stages of AD, or even precede the cognitive decline, which is accompanied by cortical pathological changes including amyloid-beta deposition, tauopathy, gliosis, and alterations in neuronal excitability, synaptic inputs, and functional plasticity. Notably, these changes are more pronounced in sensory association areas and superficial cortical layers, which may explain the relative preservation of basic sensory functions but early display of deficits of higher sensory functions. We propose that sensory impairment and the progression of AD may establish a cyclical relationship that mutually perpetuates each condition. This review highlights the significance of sensory deficits with or without cortical pathological changes in AD and emphasizes the need for further research to develop reliable early detection and intervention through sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K. Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Selena K. Zhang
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Li I. Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Physiology & Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Huizhong W. Tao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Physiology & Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Guang-Wei Zhang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Elvira-Hurtado L, López-Cuenca I, de Hoz R, Salas M, Sánchez-Puebla L, Ramírez-Toraño F, Matamoros JA, Fernández-Albarral JA, Rojas P, Alfonsín S, Delgado-Losada ML, Ramírez AI, Salazar JJ, Maestu F, Gil P, Ramírez JM, Salobrar-García E. Alzheimer's disease: a continuum with visual involvements. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1124830. [PMID: 37484098 PMCID: PMC10359162 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1124830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia affecting the central nervous system, and alteration of several visual structures has been reported. Structural retinal changes are usually accompanied by changes in visual function in this disease. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in visual function at different stages of the pathology (family history group (FH+), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), mild AD and moderate AD) in comparison with a control group of subjects with no cognitive decline and no family history of AD. Methods We included 53 controls, 13 subjects with FH+, 23 patients with MCI, 25 patients with mild AD and, 21 patients with moderate AD. All were ophthalmologically healthy. Visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), colour perception, visual integration, and fundus examination were performed. Results The analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in VA, CS and visual integration score between the MCI, mild AD and moderate AD groups compared to the control group. In the CS higher frequencies and in the colour perception test (total errors number), statistically significant differences were also observed in the MCI, mild AD and moderate AD groups with respect to the FH+ group and also between the control and AD groups. The FH+ group showed no statistically significant difference in visual functions compared to the control group. All the test correlated with the Mini Mental State Examination score and showed good predictive value when memory decline was present, with better values when AD was at a more advanced stage. Conclusion Alterations in visual function appear in subjects with MCI and evolve when AD is established, being stable in the initial stages of the disease (mild AD and moderate AD). Therefore, visual psychophysical tests are a useful, simple and complementary tool to neuropsychological tests to facilitate diagnosis in the preclinical and early stages of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Elvira-Hurtado
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés López-Cuenca
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Salas
- Memory Unit, Geriatrics Service, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lidia Sánchez-Puebla
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Federico Ramírez-Toraño
- Center for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Complutense University of Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy, Complutense University of Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - José A. Matamoros
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A. Fernández-Albarral
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Rojas
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Madrid Eye Institute, Gregorio Marañón General University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Soraya Alfonsín
- Center for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Complutense University of Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy, Complutense University of Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - María Luisa Delgado-Losada
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy, Complutense University of Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Ana I. Ramírez
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J. Salazar
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Maestu
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Laboratory of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Complutense University of Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy, Complutense University of Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
| | - Pedro Gil
- Memory Unit, Geriatrics Service, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Ramírez
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Salobrar-García
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Ciociola EC, Patel K, Blahnik T, Ghosh A, Klifto MR, Fleischman D. A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Difficulties of Diagnosing and Managing Glaucoma in Patients with Coexistent Neurodegenerative Disease. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2023; 17:126-133. [PMID: 37920375 PMCID: PMC10618602 DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10078-1415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To investigate the limitations of diagnosing glaucoma in patients with coexistent neurodegenerative disease (NDD) by collecting information on demographics, examination findings, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and visual field (VF) tests. Materials and methods Retrospective cohort study of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and coexistent dementia, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) from 2014 to 2020. We included patients with a minimum of 3 years of follow-up. Demographics, ophthalmic exam, OCT, and VF findings were reported and compared across NDD groups using the Chi-squared and analysis of variance tests. Results We included 199 patients with glaucoma and coexistent NDD, including dementia (51.3%), CVA (11.2%), PD (18.1%), and MS (19.6%). Cupping, neuroretinal rim thinning, pallor, and peripapillary atrophy of the optic nerve were most frequently observed. There was a high number of missing values from OCT to VF tests, and zero patients had a complete OCT or VF test. Additionally, 67.8 and 77.4% of patients received <1 OCT and VF/year, respectively. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning was observed most frequently in the superior (33.2% OD and 30.7% OS) and inferior (25.6% OD and 30.2% OS) quadrants, with the most significant thinning seen in CVA patients compared to other NDDs (p < 0.05). Glaucoma hemifield tests (GHTs) were abnormal in 23.1% OD and 22.6% OS, and the average mean deviation was -7.43 [standard deviation (SD) 8.23] OD and -8.79 (SD 7.99) OS. Conclusion The OCT and VF tests are frequently unavailable and may be confounded in patients with coexistent glaucoma and NDDs, complicating glaucoma diagnosis and management. Clinical significance Diagnosing and managing glaucoma in patients with coexistent NDD is difficult, given the lack of available and reliable OCT and VF testing data. Providers may be forced to rely on intraocular pressure (IOP) and other imperfect measures. How to cite this article Ciociola EC, Patel K, Blahnik T, et al. A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Difficulties of Diagnosing and Managing Glaucoma in Patients with Coexistent Neurodegenerative Disease. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2023;17(3):126-133.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Ciociola
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Kush Patel
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
| | - Tyler Blahnik
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Arko Ghosh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Meredith R Klifto
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - David Fleischman
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
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Stark Z, Morrice E, Murphy C, Wittich W, Johnson AP. The effects of simulated and actual visual impairment on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2023; 30:523-535. [PMID: 35341447 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2022.2055739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Many cognitive assessments include a visual component; however, adults may experience a decline in visual acuity with age. Scores on cognitive assessments of adults with visual impairments are typically lower than adults with normal vision, however, it is unclear if these lower scores are a consequence of cognitive or visual impairment. We measured the impact of simulated visual impairment on a cognitive screening measure. Undergraduate students were administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) under three vision conditions (20/20, simulated 20/80, simulated 20/200). We found a main effect of vision condition on test performance such that there is a statistically significant difference between scores on the 20/20 and 20/80 conditions and 20/200. However, no differences were observed between 20/80 and 20/200. Participants' performance decreased with simulated impairments. A secondary between-subject analysis was conducted on a sample of older adults with and without vision impairment; no differences were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoey Stark
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Elliot Morrice
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
- CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Réhabilitation Centredu Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) Centre ouest de l'ile de Montréal, Montéal, Quebec Canada
| | - Caitlin Murphy
- CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Réhabilitation Centredu Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) Centre ouest de l'ile de Montréal, Montéal, Quebec Canada
| | - Walter Wittich
- CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Réhabilitation Centredu Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) Centre ouest de l'ile de Montréal, Montéal, Quebec Canada
- École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec Canada
- CRIR/Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, Longueuil, Quebec Canada
| | - Aaron P Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec Canada
- CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Réhabilitation Centredu Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) Centre ouest de l'ile de Montréal, Montéal, Quebec Canada
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Pillette L, Moreau G, Normand JM, Perrier M, Lecuyer A, Cogne M. A Systematic Review of Navigation Assistance Systems for People With Dementia. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2023; 29:2146-2165. [PMID: 35007194 DOI: 10.1109/tvcg.2022.3141383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Technological developments provide solutions to alleviate the tremendous impact on the health and autonomy due to the impact of dementia on navigation abilities. We systematically reviewed the literature on devices tested to provide assistance to people with dementia during indoor, outdoor and virtual navigation (PROSPERO ID number: 215585). Medline and Scopus databases were searched from inception. Our aim was to summarize the results from the literature to guide future developments. Twenty-three articles were included in our study. Three types of information were extracted from these studies. First, the types of navigation advice the devices provided were assessed through: (i) the sensorial modality of presentation, e.g., visual and tactile stimuli, (ii) the navigation content, e.g., landmarks, and (iii) the timing of presentation, e.g., systematically at intersections. Second, we analyzed the technology that the devices were based on, e.g., smartphone. Third, the experimental methodology used to assess the devices and the navigation outcome was evaluated. We report and discuss the results from the literature based on these three main characteristics. Finally, based on these considerations, recommendations are drawn, challenges are identified and potential solutions are suggested. Augmented reality-based devices, intelligent tutoring systems and social support should particularly further be explored.
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8
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Liu A, Hefley B, Escandon P, Nicholas SE, Karamichos D. Salivary Exosomes in Health and Disease: Future Prospects in the Eye. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076363. [PMID: 37047335 PMCID: PMC10094317 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are a group of vesicles that package and transport DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids to recipient cells. They can be derived from blood, saliva, urine, and/or other biological tissues. Their impact on several diseases, such as neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and ocular diseases, have been reported, but not fully unraveled. The exosomes that are derived from saliva are less studied, but offer significant advantages over exosomes from other sources, due to their accessibility and ease of collection. Thus, their role in the pathophysiology of diseases is largely unknown. In the context of ocular diseases, salivary exosomes have been under-utilized, thus creating an enormous gap in the literature. The current review discusses the state of exosomes research on systemic and ocular diseases and highlights the role and potential of salivary exosomes as future ocular therapeutic vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Liu
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Brenna Hefley
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Paulina Escandon
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Sarah E. Nicholas
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-817-735-2101
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Early visual alterations in individuals at-risk of Alzheimer's disease: a multidisciplinary approach. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:19. [PMID: 36694201 PMCID: PMC9872347 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01166-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The earliest pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) appear decades before the clinical symptoms. The pathology affects the brain and the eye, leading to retinal structural changes and functional visual alterations. Healthy individuals at high risk of developing AD present alterations in these ophthalmological measures, as well as in resting-state electrophysiological activity. However, it is unknown whether the ophthalmological alterations are related to the visual-related electrophysiological activity. Elucidating this relationship is paramount to understand the mechanisms underlying the early deterioration of the system and an important step in assessing the suitability of these measures as early biomarkers of disease. METHODS In total, 144 healthy subjects: 105 with family history of AD and 39 without, underwent ophthalmologic analysis, magnetoencephalography recording, and genotyping. A subdivision was made to compare groups with less demographic and more risk differences: 28 high-risk subjects (relatives/APOEɛ4 +) and 16 low-risk (non-relatives/APOEɛ4 -). Differences in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and macular thickness were evaluated. Correlations between each variable and visual-related electrophysiological measures (M100 latency and time-frequency power) were calculated for each group. RESULTS High-risk groups showed increased visual acuity. Visual acuity was also related to a lower M100 latency and a greater power time-frequency cluster in the high-risk group. Low-risk groups did not show this relationship. High-risk groups presented trends towards a greater contrast sensitivity that did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. The highest-risk group showed trends towards the thinning of the inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers that did not remain significant after correction. The correlation between contrast sensitivity and macular thickness, and the electrophysiological measures were not significant after correction. The difference between the high- and low- risk groups correlations was no significant. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this paper is the first of its kind, assessing the relationship between ophthalmological and electrophysiological measures in healthy subjects at distinct levels of risk of AD. The results are novel and unexpected, showing an increase in visual acuity among high-risk subjects, who also exhibit a relationship between this measure and visual-related electrophysiological activity. These results have not been previously explored and could constitute a useful object of research as biomarkers for early detection and the evaluation of potential interventions' effectiveness.
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Aubin G, Phillips N, Jaiswal A, Johnson AP, Joubert S, Bachir V, Kehayia E, Wittich W. Visual and cognitive functioning among older adults with low vision before vision rehabilitation: A pilot study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1058951. [PMID: 37034930 PMCID: PMC10075203 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1058951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The occurrence of age-related vision changes is inevitable. However, some of these changes can become pathological. Research indicates that vision and hearing loss is correlated with age-related cognitive decline, and with a higher risk of developing dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Low vision rehabilitation could possibly be a protective factor against cognitive decline, as it provides the clients with compensatory strategies to overcome their visual deficits. Objectives and hypothesis The aim of this pilot study was to assess correlations between visual and cognitive functions in older adults referred for low vision rehabilitation. We hypothesized that more severe impairment of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity would be correlated with more advanced levels of cognitive impairment. The second objective was to examine which of these correlations would remain significant once established variables that influence cognition are statistically removed (e.g., age, education). Methods Thirty-eight older adults (age range: 66-97 years old) with a visual impairment (acuity <20/70) were recruited before the onset of their low vision rehabilitation. They underwent vision (reading acuity, reading speed, contrast sensitivity), hearing (audiogram, speech-in-noise perception) and cognitive (global cognition, memory, executive functions) testing, and demographic information was obtained. Results and discussion Correlations among global cognition and visual aid use, memory and reading speed, memory and contrast sensitivity, memory, and visual aid use, and between executive functions and contrast sensitivity were significant. Correlations between contrast sensitivity and memory, as well as between global cognition and visual aid use remained significant after controlling for age and education. The present study is relevant to clinicians who are assessing the cognitive status of older adults, such as neuropsychologists, because it highlights the importance of considering low vision when administering neuropsychological tests, especially to persons who have not yet received rehabilitation for their visual impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Aubin
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Natalie Phillips
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Atul Jaiswal
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Sven Joubert
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Vanessa Bachir
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Eva Kehayia
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Walter Wittich
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Walter Wittich,
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Papageorgiou E, Tsirelis D, Lazari K, Siokas V, Dardiotis E, Tsironi EE. Visual disorders and driving ability in persons with dementia: A mini review. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:932820. [DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.932820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundImpaired driving ability in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with a decline in cognitive processes and a deterioration of their basic sensory visual functions. Although a variety of ocular abnormalities have been described in patients with AD, little is known about the impact of those visual disorders on their driving performance.AimAim of this mini-review is to provide an update on the driving ability of patients with dementia and summarize the primary visual disorders affecting their driving behavior.MethodsDatabases were screened for studies investigating dementia, associated visual abnormalities and driving ability.ResultsThere is consistent evidence that dementia affects driving ability. Patients with dementia present with a variety of visual disorders, such as visual acuity reduction, visual field defects, impaired contrast sensitivity, decline in color vision and age-related pathological changes, that may have a negative impact on their driving ability. However, there is a paucity in studies describing the impact of oculovisual decline on the driving ability of AD subjects. A bidirectional association between cognitive and visual impairment (VI) has been described.ConclusionGiven the bidirectional association between VI and dementia, vision screening and cognitive assessment of the older driver should aim to identify at-risk individuals and employ timely strategies for treatment of both cognitive and ocular problems. Future studies should characterize the basic visual sensory status of AD patients participating in driving studies, and investigate the impact of vision abnormalities on their driving performance.
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Li K, Wang Q, Wang L, Huang Y. Cognitive dysfunctions in high myopia: An overview of potential neural morpho-functional mechanisms. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1022944. [PMID: 36408499 PMCID: PMC9669364 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1022944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Dementia and cognitive impairment (CIM) carry high levels of mortality. Visual impairment (VI) is linked with CIM risk. High myopia (HM) is a chronic disease frequently leading to irreversible blindness. Current opinion has shifted from retinal injury as the cause of HM to the condition being considered an eye-brain disease. However, the pathogenesis of this disease and the manner in which neural structures are damaged are poorly understood. This review comprehensively discusses the relationship between HM, the central nervous system, and CIM, together with the novel concept of three visual pathways, and possible research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixiu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liqiang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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13
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Vij R, Arora S. A systematic survey of advances in retinal imaging modalities for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:2213-2243. [PMID: 35290546 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-00927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in retinal imaging pathophysiology have shown a new function for biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and prognosis. The significant improvements in Optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal imaging have led to significant clinical translation, particularly in Alzheimer's disease detection. This systematic review will provide a comprehensive overview of retinal imaging in clinical applications, with a special focus on biomarker analysis for use in Alzheimer's disease detection. Articles on OCT retinal imaging in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis were identified in PubMed, Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, and Research Gate databases until March 2021. Those studies using simultaneous retinal imaging acquisition were chosen, while those using sequential techniques were rejected. "Alzheimer's disease" and "Dementia" were searched alone and in combination with "OCT" and "retinal imaging". Approximately 1000 publications were searched, and after deleting duplicate articles, 145 relevant studies focused on the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease utilizing retinal imaging were chosen for study. OCT has recently been demonstrated to be a valuable technique in clinical practice as according to this survey, 57% of the researchers employed optical coherence tomography, 19% used ocular fundus imaging, 13% used scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, and 11% have used multimodal imaging to diagnose Alzheimer disease. Retinal imaging has become an important diagnostic technique for Alzheimer's disease. Given the scarcity of available literature, it is clear that future prospective trials involving larger and more homogeneous groups are necessary, and the work can be expanded by evaluating its significance utilizing a machine-learning platform rather than simply using statistical methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Vij
- School of Computer Science & Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, 182320, India
| | - Sakshi Arora
- School of Computer Science & Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, 182320, India.
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14
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Kostic E, Kwak K, Kim D. Changes in sensory, postural stability and gait functions depending on cognitive decline, and possible markers for detection of cognitive status. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2022; 22:252. [PMID: 36138459 PMCID: PMC9502571 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-022-01955-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous people never receive a formal dementia diagnosis. This issue can be addressed by early detection systems that utilize alternative forms of classification, such as gait, balance, and sensory function parameters. In the present study, said functions were compared between older adults with healthy cognition, older adults with low executive function, and older adults with cognitive impairment, to determine which parameters can be used to distinguish these groups. Results A group of cognitively healthy older men was found to have a significantly greater gait cadence than both the low executive function group (113.1 ± 6.8 vs. 108.0 ± 6.3 steps/min, p = 0.032) and the cognitively impaired group (113.1 ± 6.8 vs. 107.1 ± 7.4 steps/min, p = 0.009). The group with low executive function was found to have more gait stability than the impaired cognition group, represented by the single limb support phase (39.7 ± 1.2 vs. 38.6 ± 1.3%, p = 0.027). Additionally, the healthy cognition group had significantly greater overall postural stability than the impaired cognition group (0.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1, p = 0.003), and the low executive function group had significantly greater mediolateral postural stability than the impaired cognition group (0.2 ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.6, p = 0.012). The low executive function group had fewer mistakes on the sentence recognition test than the cognitively impaired (2.2 ± 3.6 vs. 5.9 ± 6.4, p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in visual capacity, however, the low executive function group displayed an overall greatest ability. Conclusions Older adults with low executive function showcased a lower walking pace, but their postural stability and sensory functions did not differ from those of the older adults with healthy cognition. The variables concluded as good cognitive status markers were (1) gait cadence for dividing cognitively healthy from the rest and (2) single limb support portion, mediolateral stability index, and the number of mistakes on the sentence recognition test for discerning between the low executive function and cognitive impairment groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilija Kostic
- Department of Healthcare Engineering, The Graduate School, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kiyoung Kwak
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongwook Kim
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea. .,Research Center for Healthcare & Welfare Instrument for the Elderly, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea.
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Rai H, Gupta S, Kumar S, Yang J, Singh SK, Ran C, Modi G. Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes as Imaging and Theranostic Modalities for Amyloid-Beta and Tau Aggregates in Alzheimer's Disease. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8550-8595. [PMID: 35759679 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A person suspected of having Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clinically diagnosed for the presence of principal biomarkers, especially misfolded amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau proteins in the brain regions. Existing radiotracer diagnostic tools, such as PET imaging, are expensive and have limited availability for primary patient screening and pre-clinical animal studies. To change the status quo, small-molecular near-infrared (NIR) probes have been rapidly developed, which may serve as an inexpensive, handy imaging tool to comprehend the dynamics of pathogenic progression in AD and assess therapeutic efficacy in vivo. This Perspective summarizes the biochemistry of Aβ and tau proteins and then focuses on structurally diverse NIR probes with coverages of their spectroscopic properties, binding affinity toward Aβ and tau species, and theranostic effectiveness. With the summarized information and perspective discussions, we hope that this paper may serve as a guiding tool for designing novel in vivo imaging fluoroprobes with theranostic capabilities in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Rai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, U.P.-221005, India
| | - Sarika Gupta
- Molecular Science Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi-110067, India
| | - Saroj Kumar
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Jian Yang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Sushil K Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, U.P.-221005, India
| | - Chongzhao Ran
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, United States
| | - Gyan Modi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, U.P.-221005, India
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16
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Frame G, Schuller A, Smith MA, Crish SD, Dengler-Crish CM. Alterations in Retinal Signaling Across Age and Sex in 3xTg Alzheimer’s Disease Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:471-492. [PMID: 35599482 PMCID: PMC9398084 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background: Visual disturbances often precede cognitive dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may coincide with early accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein in the retina. These findings have inspired critical research on in vivo ophthalmic Aβ imaging for disease biomarker detection but have not fully answered mechanistic questions on how retinal pathology affects visual signaling between the eye and brain. Objective: The goal of this study was to provide a functional and structural assessment of eye-brain communication between retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their primary projection target, the superior colliculus, in female and male 3xTg-AD mice across disease stages. Methods: Retinal electrophysiology, axonal transport, and immunofluorescence were used to determine RGC projection integrity, and retinal and collicular Aβ levels were assessed with advanced protein quantitation techniques. Results: 3xTg mice exhibited nuanced deficits in RGC electrical signaling, axonal transport, and synaptic integrity that exceeded normal age-related decrements in RGC function in age- and sex-matched healthy control mice. These deficits presented in sex-specific patterns among 3xTg mice, differing in the timing and severity of changes. Conclusion: These data support the premise that retinal Aβ is not just a benign biomarker in the eye, but may contribute to subtle, nuanced visual processing deficits. Such disruptions might enhance the biomarker potential of ocular amyloid and differentiate patients with incipient AD from patients experiencing normal age-related decrements in visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Frame
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Adam Schuller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Matthew A. Smith
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Samuel D. Crish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
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Wei S, Chen F, Xu T, Cao M, Yang X, Zhang B, Guo X, Yin D. BDE-99 Disrupts the Photoreceptor Patterning of Zebrafish Larvae via Transcription Factor six7. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:5673-5683. [PMID: 35413178 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Proper visual function is essential for collecting environmental information and supporting the decision-making in the central nervous system and is therefore tightly associated with wildlife survival and human health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were reported to impair zebrafish vision development, and thyroid hormone (TH) signaling was suspected as the main contributor. In this study, a pentabrominated PBDE, BDE-99, was chosen to further explore the action mechanism of PBDEs on the disruption of zebrafish color vision. The results showed that BDE-99 could impair multiple photoreceptors in the retina and disturb the behavior guided by the color vision of zebrafish larvae at 120 h post-fertilization. Although the resulting alteration in photoreceptor patterning highly resembled the effects of 3,3',5-triiodo-l-thyroine, introducing the antagonist for TH receptors was unable to fully recover the alteration, which suggested the involvement of other potential regulatory factors. By modulating the expression of six7, a key inducer of middle-wavelength opsins, we demonstrated that six7, not THs, dominated the photoreceptor patterning in the disruption of BDE-99. Our work promoted the understanding of the regulatory role of six7 in the process of photoreceptor patterning and proposed a novel mechanism for the visual toxicity of PBDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Wei
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Fu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Environmental and Geographical Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Miao Cao
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xueping Guo
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Daqiang Yin
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
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Tyler SL, Maltby J, Paterson KB, Hutchinson CV. Reduced Vision-Related Quality of Life in Dementia: A Preliminary Report. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 87:239-246. [PMID: 35275536 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite experimental evidence for concurrent dementia and visual impairment, there are no currently validated vision-related quality of life measures for use in this population. OBJECTIVE To establish the extent to which individuals with mild to moderate dementia self-report visual impairment and determine the efficacy of established vision-related quality of life measures for use in a dementia population. METHODS We compared vision-related quality of life in participants with mild-moderate dementia to healthy (dementia-free) older adults using two existing questionnaire measures already validated for use in older adults. These were the Visual Activities Questionnaire (VAQ) and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). RESULTS Responses on both the VAQ and VFQ-25 revealed a significant effect of dementia on self-reported vision-related quality of life. Visual impairment in dementia was identified in the domains of color discrimination, disability glare, light/dark adaption, acuity/spatial vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, visual search, and visual processing speed. Factor analysis of the data suggested that existing vision-related quality of life measures, designed for use in older adult populations, are likely to provide a robust means of assessing vision-related quality of life in older adults with dementia. This is particularly true of the VAQ, for which one latent factor emerged for both dementia and dementia-free samples. CONCLUSION Using existing measures designed for use in older adult populations, we have shown that people with dementia experience reduced vision-related quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Tyler
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | - John Maltby
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Kevin B Paterson
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Claire V Hutchinson
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
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Vit JP, Fuchs DT, Angel A, Levy A, Lamensdorf I, Black KL, Koronyo Y, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Visual-stimuli Four-arm Maze test to Assess Cognition and Vision in Mice. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e4234. [PMID: 34909455 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual impairments, notably loss of contrast sensitivity and color vision, were documented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients yet are critically understudied. This protocol describes a novel visual-stimuli four-arm maze (ViS4M; also called visual x-maze), which is a versatile x-shaped maze equipped with spectrum- and intensity-controlled light-emitting diode (LED) sources and dynamic grayscale objects. The ViS4M is designed to allow the assessment of color and contrast vision along with locomotor and cognitive functions in mice. In the color testing mode, the spectral distributions of the LED lights create four homogenous spaces that differ in chromaticity and luminance, corresponding to the mouse visual system. In the contrast sensitivity test, the four grayscale objects are placed in the middle of each arm, contrasting against the black walls and the white floors of the maze. Upon entering the maze, healthy wild-type (WT) mice tend to spontaneously alternate between arms, even under equiluminant conditions of illumination, suggesting that cognitively and visually intact mice use both color and brightness as cues to navigate the maze. Evaluation of the double-transgenic APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mouse model of AD (AD+ mice) reveals substantial deficits to alternate in both color and contrast modes at an early age, when hippocampal-based memory and learning is still intact. Profiling of timespan, entries, and transition patterns between the different arms uncovers variable aging and AD-associated impairments in color discrimination and contrast sensitivity. The analysis of arm sequences of alternation reveals different pathways of exploration in young WT, old WT, and AD+ mice, which can be used as color and contrast imprints of functionally intact versus impaired mice. Overall, we describe the utility of a novel visual x-maze test to identify behavioral changes in mice related to cognition, as well as color and contrast vision, with high precision and reproducibility. Graphic abstract: Exploratory behavior of AD+ mice versus age- and sex-matched WT mice is tracked (top left: trajectory from a 5-min video file) in a novel visual-stimuli four-arm maze (ViS4M; also named visual x-maze) equipped with spectrum- and intensity-controlled LED sources or grayscale objects. Consecutive arm entries reveal that APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 (AD+) mice alternate less between arms, as opposed to WT mice. Sequence analysis, according to the three alternation pathways (depicted by white, yellow, and brown arrows) under different conditions of illumination, uncovers specific deficits linked to color vision in AD+ mice, evidenced by a color imprint chart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Vit
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | | | | | | | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Applied Cell Biology and Physiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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20
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Almario G, Piñero DP. Impact of Alzheimer's Disease in Ocular Motility and Visual Perception: A Narrative Review. Semin Ophthalmol 2021; 37:436-446. [PMID: 34779338 DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2021.2002371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease generating a progressive neuronal loss as well as cognitive deficiencies. This disease can be accompanied by ocular manifestations, including alterations in ocular motility and visual perception. The aim of the current review article was to collect all the information about these alterations and to analyze if there is scientific evidence supporting the potential use of these changes as biomarkers of the disease. METHODS A bibliographic search was performed using two different databases, Pubmed and Google Scholar, as well as a search of material in non-peer reviewed journals about Alzheimer's and Neurology. A total of 227 articles were found in the initial search, but only 76 were included considering their relevance according to the purpose of the reviewResults: This narrative review describes the findings obtained in this area to this date, confirming that deficiencies in saccades is the most common condition among AD patients. Furthermore, other visual alterations have also been reported in these patients, including a compromise of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, fluctuations of colour vision, stereopsis impairment and visual field losses. Likewise, other complex visuo-spatial and visuo-perceptual impairments can be present. More studies are still needed to understand better what type of changes occurs in ocular alignment, binocularity, and fixation pattern in AD patients. CONCLUSIONS AD is associated to visual perception and ocular motility alterations. All the scientific information found in this review should be considered as a guide for designing future studies and to define adequate clinical protocols for the visual evaluation of patients with AD, considering the cognitive limitations that are normally present in this type of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Almario
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Punto Óptico, Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - David P Piñero
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Department of Ophthalmology, Vithas Medimar International Hospital, Alicante, Spain
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21
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Xie L, He B, Varathan P, Nho K, Risacher SL, Saykin AJ, Salama P, Yan J. Integrative-omics for discovery of network-level disease biomarkers: a case study in Alzheimer's disease. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:bbab121. [PMID: 33971669 PMCID: PMC8574309 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A large number of genetic variations have been identified to be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related quantitative traits. However, majority of existing studies focused on single types of omics data, lacking the power of generating a community including multi-omic markers and their functional connections. Because of this, the immense value of multi-omics data on AD has attracted much attention. Leveraging genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data, and their backbone network through functional relations, we proposed a modularity-constrained logistic regression model to mine the association between disease status and a group of functionally connected multi-omic features, i.e. single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), genes and proteins. This new model was applied to the real data collected from the frontal cortex tissue in the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project cohort. Compared with other state-of-art methods, it provided overall the best prediction performance during cross-validation. This new method helped identify a group of densely connected SNPs, genes and proteins predictive of AD status. These SNPs are mostly expression quantitative trait loci in the frontal region. Brain-wide gene expression profile of these genes and proteins were highly correlated with the brain activation map of 'vision', a brain function partly controlled by frontal cortex. These genes and proteins were also found to be associated with the amyloid deposition, cortical volume and average thickness of frontal regions. Taken together, these results suggested a potential pathway underlying the development of AD from SNPs to gene expression, protein expression and ultimately brain functional and structural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhui Xie
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 420 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
| | - Bing He
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 420 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
| | - Pradeep Varathan
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 420 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
| | - Kwangsik Nho
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN 46204, USA
| | - Shannon L Risacher
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN 46204, USA
| | - Andrew J Saykin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN 46204, USA
| | - Paul Salama
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 420 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
| | - Jingwen Yan
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 420 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN 46204, USA
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22
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Arrigo A, Aragona E, Saladino A, Arrigo D, Fantaguzzi F, Battaglia Parodi M, Bandello F. Cognitive Dysfunctions in Glaucoma: An Overview of Morpho-Functional Mechanisms and the Impact on Higher-Order Visual Function. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:747050. [PMID: 34690746 PMCID: PMC8526892 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.747050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Glaucoma is a chronic, vision-threatening disease, and a major cause of legal blindness. The current view is no longer limited to the progressive optic nerve injury, since growing evidence strongly support the interpretation of glaucoma as a complex neurodegenerative disease. However, the precise pathogenic mechanisms leading to the onset and progression of central nervous system (CNS) impairment, and the functional consequences of this damage, are still partially understood. The main aim of this review is to provide a complete and updated overview of the current knowledge regarding the CNS involvement in glaucoma, and the possible therapeutic perspectives. Methods: We made a careful survey of the current literature reporting all the relevant findings related to the cognitive dysfunctions occurring in glaucoma, with specific remarks dedicated on the higher-order visual function impairment and the possible employment of neuroprotective agents. Results: The current literature strongly support the interpretation of glaucoma as a multifaceted chronic neurodegenerative disease, widely affecting the CNS. The cognitive impairment may vary in terms of higher-order functions involvement and in the severity of the degeneration. Although several neuroprotective agents are currently available, the development of new molecules represents a major topic of investigation for future clinical trials. Conclusions: Glaucoma earned the right to be fully considered a neurodegenerative disease. Glaucomatous patients may experience a heterogeneous set of visual and cognitive symptoms, progressively deteriorating the quality of life. Neuroprotection is nowadays a necessary therapeutic goal and a future promising way to preserve visual and cognitive functions, thus improving patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Arrigo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Aragona
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Saladino
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Arrigo
- School of Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Federico Fantaguzzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Bandello
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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23
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Rehan S, Giroud N, Al-Yawer F, Wittich W, Phillips N. Visual Performance and Cortical Atrophy in Vision-Related Brain Regions Differ Between Older Adults with (or at Risk for) Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 83:1125-1148. [PMID: 34397410 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visual impairment is associated with deficits in cognitive function and risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to characterize the degree of visual impairment and explore the association thereof with cortical atrophy in brain regions associated with visual processing in individuals with (or at risk for) AD. METHODS Using the Comprehensive Assessment of Neurodegeneration and Dementia (COMPASS-ND) dataset, we analyzed vision and brain imaging data from three diagnostic groups: individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD; N = 35), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; N = 74), and mild AD (N = 30). We used ANCOVAs to determine whether performance on reading acuity and contrast sensitivity tests differed across diagnostic groups. Hierarchical regression analyses were applied to determine whether visual performance predicted gray matter volume for vision-related regions of interest above and beyond group membership. RESULTS The AD group performed significantly worse on reading acuity (F(2,138) = 4.12, p < 0.01, ω 2 = 0.04) compared to the SCD group and on contrast sensitivity (F(2,138) = 7.6, p < 0.01, ω 2 = 0.09) compared to the SCD and MCI groups, which did not differ from each other. Visual performance was associated with volume in some vision-related structures beyond clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate poor visual performance in AD and that both group membership and visual performance are predictors of cortical pathology, consistent with the idea that atrophy in visual areas and pathways contributes to the functional vision deficits observed in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Rehan
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Research in Human Development>, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language, and Music, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Giroud
- Institute of Computational Linguistics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Faisal Al-Yawer
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Research in Human Development>, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language, and Music, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Walter Wittich
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Natalie Phillips
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Research in Human Development>, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language, and Music, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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24
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Ruiz-Rizzo AL, Pruitt PJ, Finke K, Müller HJ, Damoiseaux JS. Lower-Resolution Retrieval of Scenes in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2021; 37:408-422. [PMID: 34342647 PMCID: PMC8865194 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acab061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Scenes with more perceptual detail can help detect subtle memory deficits more than scenes with less detail. Here, we investigated whether older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) show less brain activation and more memory deficits to scenes with more (vs. scenes with less) perceptual detail compared to controls (CON). Method In 37 healthy older adults (SCD: 16), we measured blood oxygenation level-dependent-functional magnetic resonance imaging during encoding and behavioral performance during retrieval. Results During encoding, higher activation to scenes with more (vs. less) perceptual detail in the parahippocampal place area predicted better memory performance in SCD and CON. During retrieval, superior performance for new scenes with more (vs. less) perceptual detail was significantly more pronounced in CON than inSCD. Conclusions Together, these results suggest a present, but attenuated benefit from perceptual detail for memory retrieval in SCD. Memory complaints in SCD might, thus, refer to a decreased availability of perceptual detail of previously encoded stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana L Ruiz-Rizzo
- Department of Psychology, General and Experimental Psychology Unit, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick J Pruitt
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of Psychology, General and Experimental Psychology Unit, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Hermann J Müller
- Department of Psychology, General and Experimental Psychology Unit, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jessica S Damoiseaux
- Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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25
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Chalkias IN, Tegos T, Topouzis F, Tsolaki M. Ocular biomarkers and their role in the early diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders. Eur J Ophthalmol 2021; 31:2808-2817. [PMID: 34000876 DOI: 10.1177/11206721211016311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Given the fact that different types of dementia can be diagnosed only postmortem or when the disease has progressed enough to cause irreversible damage to certain brain areas, there has been an increasing need for the development of sensitive and reliable methods that can detect early preclinical forms of dementia, before the symptoms have even appeared. Ideally, such a method would have the following characteristics: to be inexpensive, sensitive and specific, Non-invasive, fast and easily accessible. The ophthalmologic examination and especially the study of the retina, has caught the attention of many researchers, as it can provide a lot of information about the CNS and it fulfills many of the aforementioned criteria. Since the introduction of the non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the newly developed modality OCT-angiography (OCT-A) that can demonstrate the structure and the microvasculature of the retina and choroid, respectively, there have been promising results regarding the value of the ophthalmologic examination in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In this review paper, we summarize and discuss the ocular findings in patients with cognitive impairment disorders and we highlight the importance of the ophthalmologic examination to the diagnosis of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis-Nikolaos Chalkias
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia Thraki, Greece
| | - Thomas Tegos
- 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia Thraki, Greece
| | - Fotis Topouzis
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia Thraki, Greece
| | - Magda Tsolaki
- 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia Thraki, Greece.,Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki, Greece
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26
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Li X, Fan F, Chen X, Li J, Ning L, Lin K, Chen Z, Qin Z, Yeung AS, Li X, Wang L, So KF. Computer Vision for Brain Disorders Based Primarily on Ocular Responses. Front Neurol 2021; 12:584270. [PMID: 33967931 PMCID: PMC8096911 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.584270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time ocular responses are tightly associated with emotional and cognitive processing within the central nervous system. Patterns seen in saccades, pupillary responses, and spontaneous blinking, as well as retinal microvasculature and morphology visualized via office-based ophthalmic imaging, are potential biomarkers for the screening and evaluation of cognitive and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we outline multiple techniques in which ocular assessments may serve as a non-invasive approach for the early detections of various brain disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia (SZ), and major depressive disorder (MDD). In addition, rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) present a growing opportunity to use machine learning-based AI, especially computer vision (CV) with deep-learning neural networks, to shed new light on the field of cognitive neuroscience, which is most likely to lead to novel evaluations and interventions for brain disorders. Hence, we highlight the potential of using AI to evaluate brain disorders based primarily on ocular features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotao Li
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.,BIAI INC., Chelmsford, MA, United States.,BIAI Intelligence Biotech LLC, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fangfang Fan
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xuejing Chen
- Retina Division, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Juan Li
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.,BIAI INC., Chelmsford, MA, United States.,BIAI Intelligence Biotech LLC, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Ning
- Center for High Performance Computing, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kangguang Lin
- Department of Affective Disorders and Academician Workstation of Mood and Brain Sciences, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System (CNS) Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zan Chen
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhenyun Qin
- Key Laboratory for Nonlinear Mathematical Models and Methods, School of Mathematical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Albert S Yeung
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaojian Li
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of Central Nervous System (CNS) Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
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27
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Fernandes TP, Almeida NL, Silva GM, Santos NA. Nicotine gum enhances visual processing in healthy nonsmokers. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:2593-2605. [PMID: 33675460 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00461-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The main purpose of this study was to investigate the isolated effects of nicotine on visual processing, namely contrast processing. METHODS Thirteen participants, aged 18-40 years, were enrolled in this double blind, randomized and pilot controlled trial involving nicotine gum administration (placebo, 2-mg and 4-mg doses). The participants' instruction was to detect the location of vertical gratings (0.2; 1.0; 3.3; 5.7; 8.8; 13.2 and 15.9 cycles per degree) when it was presented either left or right on the monitor screen. A repeated multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to analyse the results for the visual processing tasks. Bayesian analyses were also carried out considering maximum robustness to avoid bias. RESULTS The findings that nicotine gum administration resulted in better contrast discrimination when compared to placebo gum (p < .001). More specifically, the 4-mg resulted in better visual sensitivity when compared to the 2-mg (p < .01) and the placebo (p < .001) gum. Demographic data were not related to the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS These data bring the need for support the findings. If proved, it is possible that nicotine, in small doses, can have a potential therapeutic use for those populations with low vision. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER RBR-46tjy3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago P Fernandes
- Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil. .,Perception, Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil.
| | - Natalia L Almeida
- Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil. .,Perception, Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil.
| | - Gabriella M Silva
- Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil.,Perception, Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Natanael A Santos
- Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil.,Perception, Neuroscience and Behaviour Laboratory, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil
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28
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Feng YR, Meuleners L, Stevenson M, Heyworth J, Murray K, Fraser M, Maher S. Driving exposure, patterns and safety critical events for older drivers with and without mild cognitive impairment: Findings from a naturalistic driving study. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2021; 151:105965. [PMID: 33429206 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2020.105965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to compare driving exposure, patterns and factors associated with safety critical events between drivers with MCI and a comparison group without cognitive impairment. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS Naturalistic driving data using an in-vehicle monitoring device were collected from 36 older drivers with MCI and 35 older drivers without cognitive impairment over a two-week period in Western Australia. MEASUREMENTS Naturalistic driving exposure, patterns (eg. night-time trips, peak-hour trips) and safety critical events (harsh acceleration, harsh braking and harsh cornering). RESULTS Drivers with MCI had a lower number of safety critical events (mean = 7.20, SD = 11.44) compared to drivers without cognitive impairment (mean = 10.89, SD = 23.30) however, this was not statistically significantly. There were also no statistically significant differences between drivers with and without MCI for measures of driving exposure or any of the driving patterns including weekday trips, night-time trips and trips on highways/freeways. The results of the multivariable modelling found only binocular contrast sensitivity was associated with the rate of safety critical events. For every increase of 0.1 log units in contrast sensitivity (better contrast sensitivity) the rate of safety critical events significantly decreased by 30 % (IRR = 0.70, 95 % CI = 0.50-0.98, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION Drivers with MCI were found to have similar driving exposure and patterns compared to older drivers without cognitive impairment, however drivers with better contrast sensitivity experienced fewer safety critical events. Future research should consider a longitudinal study design with an extended driving monitoring period and a larger sample with a clinical diagnosis of MCI to assess changes in cognition and its impact on driving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ru Feng
- Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Lynn Meuleners
- Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Mark Stevenson
- Transport, Health and Urban Design Research Lab, Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane Heyworth
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Clifton Street Building, Nedlands, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Kevin Murray
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Clifton Street Building, Nedlands, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Michelle Fraser
- Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sean Maher
- Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
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29
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Jorge L, Martins R, Canário N, Xavier C, Abrunhosa A, Santana I, Castelo-Branco M. Investigating the Spatial Associations Between Amyloid-β Deposition, Grey Matter Volume, and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 80:113-132. [PMID: 33523050 PMCID: PMC8075404 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background: It has been proposed that amyloid-β (Aβ) plays a causal role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by triggering a series of pathologic events—possibly including neuroinflammation—which culminate in progressive brain atrophy. However, the interplay between the two pathological molecular events and how both are associated with neurodegeneration is still unclear. Objective: We aimed to estimate the spatial inter-relationship between neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation and Aβ deposition in a cohort of 20 mild AD patients and 17 healthy controls (HC). Methods: We resorted to magnetic resonance imaging to measure cortical atrophy, using the radiotracer 11C-PK11195 PET to measure neuroinflammation levels and 11C-PiB PET to assess Aβ levels. Between-group comparisons were computed to explore AD-related changes in the three types of markers. To examine the effects of each one of the molecular pathologic mechanisms on neurodegeneration we computed: 1) ANCOVAs with the anatomic data, controlling for radiotracer uptake differences between groups and 2) voxel-based multiple regression analysis between-modalities. In addition, associations in anatomically defined regions of interests were also investigated. Results: We found significant differences between AD and controls in the levels of atrophy, neuroinflammation, and Aβ deposition. Associations between Aβ aggregation and brain atrophy were detected in AD in a widely distributed pattern, whereas associations between microglia activation and structural measures of neurodegeneration were restricted to few anatomically regions. Conclusion: In summary, Aβ deposition, as opposed to neuroinflammation, was more associated with cortical atrophy, suggesting a prominent role of Aβ in neurodegeneration at a mild stage of the AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lília Jorge
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Martins
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nádia Canário
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carolina Xavier
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Antero Abrunhosa
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Santana
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Department of Neurology, Coimbra University Hospital, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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30
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Vit JP, Fuchs DT, Angel A, Levy A, Lamensdorf I, Black KL, Koronyo Y, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Color and contrast vision in mouse models of aging and Alzheimer's disease using a novel visual-stimuli four-arm maze. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1255. [PMID: 33441984 PMCID: PMC7806734 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-80988-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We introduce a novel visual-stimuli four-arm maze (ViS4M) equipped with spectrally- and intensity-controlled LED emitters and dynamic grayscale objects that relies on innate exploratory behavior to assess color and contrast vision in mice. Its application to detect visual impairments during normal aging and over the course of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is evaluated in wild-type (WT) and transgenic APPSWE/PS1∆E9 murine models of AD (AD+) across an array of irradiance, chromaticity, and contrast conditions. Substantial color and contrast-mode alternation deficits appear in AD+ mice at an age when hippocampal-based memory and learning is still intact. Profiling of timespan, entries and transition patterns between the different arms uncovers variable AD-associated impairments in contrast sensitivity and color discrimination, reminiscent of tritanomalous defects documented in AD patients. Transition deficits are found in aged WT mice in the absence of alternation decline. Overall, ViS4M is a versatile, controlled device to measure color and contrast-related vision in aged and diseased mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Vit
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.,Biobehavioral Research Core, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ariel Angel
- Pharmaseed Ltd., 9 Hamazmera St., 74047, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Aharon Levy
- Pharmaseed Ltd., 9 Hamazmera St., 74047, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | | | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Foran AM, Mathias JL, Bowden SC. Effectiveness of sorting tests for detecting cognitive decline in older adults with dementia and other common neurodegenerative disorders: A meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 120:442-454. [PMID: 33091417 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The demand for simple, accurate and time-efficient screens to detect cognitive decline at point-of-care is increasing. Sorting tests are often used to detect the 'executive' deficits that are commonly associated with behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), but their potential for use as a cognitive screen with older adults is unclear. A comprehensive search of four databases identified 142 studies that compared the sorting test performance (e.g. WCST, DKEFS-ST) of adults with a common neurodegenerative disorder (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, bvFTD, Parkinson's disease) and cognitively-healthy controls. Hedges' g effect sizes were used to compare the groups on five common test scores (Category, Total, Perseveration, Error, Description). The neurodegenerative disorders (combined) showed large deficits on all scores (g -1.0 to -1.3), with dementia (combined subtypes) performing more poorly (g -1.2 to -2.1), although bvFTD was not disproportionately worse than the other dementias. Overall, sorting tests detected the cognitive impairments caused by common neurodegenerative disorders, especially dementia, highlighting their potential suitability as a cognitive screen for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Foran
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
| | - J L Mathias
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
| | - S C Bowden
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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Chen S, Xu W, Xue C, Hu G, Ma W, Qi W, Dong L, Lin X, Chen J. Voxelwise Meta-Analysis of Gray Matter Abnormalities in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Subjective Cognitive Decline Using Activation Likelihood Estimation. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 77:1495-1512. [PMID: 32925061 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Voxel-based morphometry studies have not yielded consistent results among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Objective: Therefore, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of gray matter (GM) abnormalities acquired from these studies to determine their respective neuroanatomical changes. Methods: We systematically searched for voxel-based whole-brain morphometry studies that compared MCI or SCD subjects with healthy controls in PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. We used the coordinate-based method of activation likelihood estimation to determine GM changes in SCD, MCI, and MCI sub-groups (amnestic MCI and non-amnestic MCI). Results: A total of 45 studies were included in our meta-analysis. In the MCI group, we found structural atrophy of the bilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), amygdala, right lateral globus pallidus, right insula, and left middle temporal gyrus. The aMCI group exhibited GM atrophy in the bilateral hippocampus, PHG, and amygdala. The naMCI group presented with structural atrophy in the right putamen, right insula, right precentral gyrus, left medial/superior frontal gyrus, and left anterior cingulate. The right lingual gyrus, right cuneus, and left medial frontal gyrus were atrophic GM regions in the SCD group. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis identified unique patterns of neuroanatomical alternations in both the MCI and SCD group. Structural changes in SCD patients provide new evidence for the notion that subtle impairment of visual function, perception, and cognition may be related to early signs of cognitive impairment. In addition, our findings provide a foundation for future targeted interventions at different stages of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Chen
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenwen Xu
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chen Xue
- Department of Radiology, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guanjie Hu
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Brain Functional Imaging, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenying Ma
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenzhang Qi
- Department of Radiology, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Dong
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingjian Lin
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiu Chen
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Brain Functional Imaging, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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The Retinal Inner Plexiform Synaptic Layer Mirrors Grey Matter Thickness of Primary Visual Cortex with Increased Amyloid β Load in Early Alzheimer's Disease. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8826087. [PMID: 33014034 PMCID: PMC7525303 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8826087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina may serve as putative window into neuropathology of synaptic loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we investigated synapse-rich layers versus layers composed by nuclei/cell bodies in an early stage of AD. In addition, we examined the associations between retinal changes and molecular and structural markers of cortical damage. We recruited 20 AD patients and 17 healthy controls (HC). Combining optical coherence tomography (OCT), magnetic resonance (MR), and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, we measured retinal and primary visual cortex (V1) thicknesses, along with V1 amyloid β (Aβ) retention ([11C]-PiB PET tracer) and neuroinflammation ([11C]-PK11195 PET tracer). We found that V1 showed increased amyloid-binding potential, in the absence of neuroinflammation. Although thickness changes were still absent, we identified a positive association between the synapse-rich inner plexiform layer (IPL) and V1 in AD. This retinocortical interplay might reflect changes in synaptic function resulting from Aβ deposition, contributing to early visual loss.
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Wu SZ, Masurkar AV, Balcer LJ. Afferent and Efferent Visual Markers of Alzheimer's Disease: A Review and Update in Early Stage Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:572337. [PMID: 33061906 PMCID: PMC7518395 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.572337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vision, which requires extensive neural involvement, is often impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Over the last few decades, accumulating evidence has shown that various visual functions and structures are compromised in Alzheimer's dementia and when measured can detect those with dementia from those with normal aging. These visual changes involve both the afferent and efferent parts of the visual system, which correspond to the sensory and eye movement aspects of vision, respectively. There are fewer, but a growing number of studies, that focus on the detection of predementia stages. Visual biomarkers that detect these stages are paramount in the development of successful disease-modifying therapies by identifying appropriate research participants and in identifying those who would receive future therapies. This review provides a summary and update on common afferent and efferent visual markers of AD with a focus on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and preclinical disease detection. We further propose future directions in this area. Given the ease of performing visual tests, the accessibility of the eye, and advances in ocular technology, visual measures have the potential to be effective, practical, and non-invasive biomarkers of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Z. Wu
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Arjun V. Masurkar
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laura J. Balcer
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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35
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Mirzaei N, Shi H, Oviatt M, Doustar J, Rentsendorj A, Fuchs DT, Sheyn J, Black KL, Koronyo Y, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Alzheimer's Retinopathy: Seeing Disease in the Eyes. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:921. [PMID: 33041751 PMCID: PMC7523471 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurosensory retina emerges as a prominent site of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. As a CNS extension of the brain, the neuro retina is easily accessible for noninvasive, high-resolution imaging. Studies have shown that along with cognitive decline, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD often suffer from visual impairments, abnormal electroretinogram patterns, and circadian rhythm disturbances that can, at least in part, be attributed to retinal damage. Over a decade ago, our group identified the main pathological hallmark of AD, amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plaques, in the retina of patients including early-stage clinical cases. Subsequent histological, biochemical and in vivo retinal imaging studies in animal models and in humans corroborated these findings and further revealed other signs of AD neuropathology in the retina. Among these signs, hyperphosphorylated tau, neuronal degeneration, retinal thinning, vascular abnormalities and gliosis were documented. Further, linear correlations between the severity of retinal and brain Aβ concentrations and plaque pathology were described. More recently, extensive retinal pericyte loss along with vascular platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β deficiency were discovered in postmortem retinas of MCI and AD patients. This progressive loss was closely associated with increased retinal vascular amyloidosis and predicted cerebral amyloid angiopathy scores. These studies brought excitement to the field of retinal exploration in AD. Indeed, many questions still remain open, such as queries related to the temporal progression of AD-related pathology in the retina compared to the brain, the relations between retinal and cerebral changes and whether retinal signs can predict cognitive decline. The extent to which AD affects the retina, including the susceptibility of certain topographical regions and cell types, is currently under intense investigation. Advances in retinal amyloid imaging, hyperspectral imaging, optical coherence tomography, and OCT-angiography encourage the use of such modalities to achieve more accurate, patient- and user-friendly, noninvasive detection and monitoring of AD. In this review, we summarize the current status in the field while addressing the many unknowns regarding Alzheimer's retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Mirzaei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Haoshen Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mia Oviatt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jonah Doustar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Altan Rentsendorj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Julia Sheyn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Keith L. Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Gupta VB, Chitranshi N, den Haan J, Mirzaei M, You Y, Lim JK, Basavarajappa D, Godinez A, Di Angelantonio S, Sachdev P, Salekdeh GH, Bouwman F, Graham S, Gupta V. Retinal changes in Alzheimer's disease- integrated prospects of imaging, functional and molecular advances. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 82:100899. [PMID: 32890742 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, clinically characterised by cognitive deficits that gradually worsen over time. There is, at present, no established cure, or disease-modifying treatments for AD. As life expectancy increases globally, the number of individuals suffering from the disease is projected to increase substantially. Cumulative evidence indicates that AD neuropathological process is initiated several years, if not decades, before clinical signs are evident in patients, and diagnosis made. While several imaging, cognitive, CSF and blood-based biomarkers have been proposed for the early detection of AD; their sensitivity and specificity in the symptomatic stages is highly variable and it is difficult to justify their use in even earlier, pre-clinical stages of the disease. Research has identified potentially measurable functional, structural, metabolic and vascular changes in the retina during early stages of AD. Retina offers a distinctively accessible insight into brain pathology and current and developing ophthalmic technologies have provided us with the possibility of detecting and characterising subtle, disease-related changes. Recent human and animal model studies have further provided mechanistic insights into the biochemical pathways that are altered in the retina in disease, including amyloid and tau deposition. This information coupled with advances in molecular imaging has allowed attempts to monitor biochemical changes and protein aggregation pathology in the retina in AD. This review summarises the existing knowledge that informs our understanding of the impact of AD on the retina and highlights some of the gaps that need to be addressed. Future research will integrate molecular imaging innovation with functional and structural changes to enhance our knowledge of the AD pathophysiological mechanisms and establish the utility of monitoring retinal changes as a potential biomarker for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veer B Gupta
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, VIC, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jurre den Haan
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jeremiah Kh Lim
- Optometry and Vision Science, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Devaraj Basavarajappa
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Angela Godinez
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Perminder Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain and Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ghasem H Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Femke Bouwman
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands
| | - Stuart Graham
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia; Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia.
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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37
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Romano RR, Carter MA, Monroe TB. Narrative Review of Sensory Changes as a Biomarker for Alzheimer's Disease. Biol Res Nurs 2020; 23:223-230. [PMID: 32799655 DOI: 10.1177/1099800420947176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Early recognition of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the prodromal period has not been robust yet will be necessary if effective disease-modifying drugs are to be useful in preventing or delaying the condition. The objective of this narrative review was to describe the current, evidenced based understanding of alterations in sensory data as potential biomarkers for AD. Review of empirical studies that tested senses as biomarkers for AD and were published in English within the past 50 years was completed. Eighteen empirical studies were identified that met the strict criteria for inclusion, with 12 of these studies being related to the olfactory system. Two studies examined auditory, two examined vision, one examined proprioception, and one examined taste. Thus, only olfaction has been studied to any extent, leaving a clear gap in the literature for the use of other senses. A promising area of research has begun to be reported concerning differences in responses to pain stimuli in AD relative to cognitively normal subjects. Pain is not a single sense like the others but integrates several senses and may allow for use as an early biomarker for AD, as it integrates several brain areas and pathways. Unlike the other senses, simple devices can be used to measure changes in pain perception in cognitively normal adults with genetic predispositions for possible AD, making this potentially useful for clinicians in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond R Romano
- College of Nursing, 12326University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael A Carter
- College of Nursing, 12326University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Todd B Monroe
- College of Nursing, 2647Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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38
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Donnelly R, Wei C, Morrison-Koechl J, Keller H. The effect of blue dishware versus white dishware on food intake and eating challenges among residents living with dementia: a crossover trial. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:353. [PMID: 32703270 PMCID: PMC7379787 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-05195-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Residents living with dementia (RLWD) often experience changes in their visual perception, which could reduce food intake. Inadequate food intake is known to cause malnutrition, which increases the risk of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of using blue dishware compared to white dishware to improve food intake and mitigate eating challenges among 18 RLWD (mean age 84.6 ± 7.9 years, 72.2% female). Results A within-within person crossover design determined differences in food intake and eating challenges between blue and white dishware conditions. Five participants responded to the blue dishware and increased their average food intake by ≥ 10%. Responders were not different from non-responders in terms of demographic or health characteristics. The proportion of eating challenges experienced was not significantly different between the blue and white dishware conditions. Percent food intake was significantly greater at lunch (83.5 ± 19.0%) compared to dinner (75.8 ± 22.1%; p < 0.0001), regardless of dishware condition. However, there were no significant differences for food intake between the dishware conditions, even after matching food choices. Promoting food intake and reducing eating challenges in RLWD likely needs multi-component interventions targeting meal quality, meal access, and mealtime experience. Trial registration ClincialTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04298788. Retrospectively registered: 6 March 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04298788?term=NCT04298788&draw=2&rank=1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Donnelly
- University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Cindy Wei
- University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | | | - Heather Keller
- University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. .,Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, 250 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo, ON, N2J 0E2, Canada.
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Sidiqi A, Wahl D, Lee S, Ma D, To E, Cui J, To E, Beg MF, Sarunic M, Matsubara JA. In vivo Retinal Fluorescence Imaging With Curcumin in an Alzheimer Mouse Model. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:713. [PMID: 32719582 PMCID: PMC7350785 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain detectable by highly invasive in vivo brain imaging or in post-mortem tissues. A non-invasive and inexpensive screening method is needed for early diagnosis of asymptomatic AD patients. The shared developmental origin and similarities with the brain make the retina a suitable surrogate tissue to assess Aβ load in AD. Using curcumin, a FluoroProbe that binds to Aβ, we labeled and measured the retinal fluorescence in vivo and compared with the immunohistochemical measurements of the brain and retinal Aβ load in the APP/PS1 mouse model. In vivo retinal images were acquired every 2 months using custom fluorescence scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (fSLO) after tail vein injections of curcumin in individual mice followed longitudinally from ages 5 to 19 months. At the same time points, 1–2 mice from the same cohort were sacrificed and immunohistochemistry was performed on their brain and retinal tissues. Results demonstrated cortical and retinal Aβ immunoreactivity were significantly greater in Tg than WT groups. Age-related increase in retinal Aβ immunoreactivity was greater in Tg than WT groups. Retinal Aβ immunoreactivity was present in the inner retinal layers and consisted of small speck-like extracellular deposits and intracellular labeling in the cytoplasm of a subset of retinal ganglion cells. In vivo retinal fluorescence with curcumin injection was significantly greater in older mice (11–19 months) than younger mice (5–9 months) in both Tg and WT groups. In vivo retinal fluorescence with curcumin injection was significantly greater in Tg than WT in older mice (ages 11–19 months). Finally, and most importantly, the correlation between in vivo retinal fluorescence with curcumin injection and Aβ immunoreactivity in the cortex was stronger in Tg compared to WT groups. Our data reveal that retina and brain of APP/PS1 Tg mice increasingly express Aβ with age. In vivo retinal fluorescence with curcumin correlated strongly with cortical Aβ immunohistochemistry in Tg mice. These findings suggest that using in vivo fSLO imaging of AD-susceptible retina may be a useful, non-invasive method of detecting Aβ in the retina as a surrogate indicator of Aβ load in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Sidiqi
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel Wahl
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Sieun Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Da Ma
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Elliott To
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jing Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eleanor To
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mirza Faisal Beg
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Marinko Sarunic
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Joanne A Matsubara
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Davidson PSR, Vidjen P, Trincao-Batra S, Collin CA. Older Adults' Lure Discrimination Difficulties on the Mnemonic Similarity Task Are Significantly Correlated With Their Visual Perception. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020; 74:1298-1307. [PMID: 30407604 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pattern separation in memory encoding entails creating and storing distinct, detailed representations to facilitate storage and retrieval. The Mnemonic Similarity Task (MST; Stark, S. M., Yassa, M. A., Lacy, J. W., & Stark, C. E. [2013]. A task to assess behavioral pattern separation [BPS] in humans: Data from healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment. Neuropsychologia, 51, 2442-2449) has been used to argue that normal aging leads to pattern separation decline. We sought to replicate previous reports of age-related difficulty on this behavioral pattern separation estimate and to examine its neuropsychological correlates, specifically long-term memory function, executive function, and visual perception. METHODS We administered an object version of the MST to 31 young adults and 38 older adults. It involved a single-probe recognition memory test in which some of the originally studied objects had been replaced with perceptually similar lures, and participants had to identify each as old, a lure, or new. RESULTS Despite their corrected item recognition scores being superior to those of the young adults, the older adults had significantly greater difficulty than the young in discriminating the similar-looking lures from the original items. Interestingly, this lure discrimination difficulty was significantly correlated with visual perception rather than with long-term memory or executive function. DISCUSSION These results suggest that although adult age differences on the MST are reliable, care should be taken to separate perceptual from memory discrimination difficulties as the reason.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S R Davidson
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Bruyère Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Petar Vidjen
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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41
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Singh AK, Verma S. Use of ocular biomarkers as a potential tool for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Indian J Ophthalmol 2020; 68:555-561. [PMID: 32174567 PMCID: PMC7210832 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_999_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide which unfortunately has no known effective cure to date. Despite many clinical trials indicating the effectiveness of preclinical treatment, a sensitive tool for screening of AD is yet to be developed. Due to multiple similarities between ocular and the brain tissue, the eye is being explored by researchers for this purpose, with utmost attention focused on the retinal tissue. Besides visual functional impairment, neuronal degeneration and apoptosis, retinal nerve fiber degeneration, increase in the cup-to-disc ratio, and retinal vascular thinning and tortuosity are the changes observed in the retinal tissue which are related to AD. Studies have shown that targeting these changes in the retina is an effective way of reducing the degeneration of retinal neuronal tissue. Similar mechanisms of neurodegeneration have been demonstrated in the brain and the eyes of AD patients. Multiple studies are underway to investigate the potential of diagnosing AD and detection of amyloid-β (Aβ) levels in the retinal tissue. Since the tissues in the anterior segment of the eye are more accessible for in vivo imaging and examination, they have more potential as screening biomarkers. This article provides a concise review of available literature on the ocular biomarkers in anterior and posterior segments of the eye including the cornea, aqueous humour (AH), crystalline lens, and retina in AD. This review will also highlight the newer technological tools available for the detection of potential biomarkers in the eye for early diagnosis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay K Singh
- Consultant and Anterior Segment Surgeon, Department of Ophthalmology, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Shilpa Verma
- WNS Global Services Pvt. Ltd., Gurugram, Haryana, India
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Risacher SL, WuDunn D, Tallman EF, West JD, Gao S, Farlow MR, Brosch JR, Apostolova LG, Saykin AJ. Visual contrast sensitivity is associated with the presence of cerebral amyloid and tau deposition. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa019. [PMID: 32309804 PMCID: PMC7151662 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual deficits are common in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease. We sought to determine the association between visual contrast sensitivity and neuroimaging measures of Alzheimer’s disease-related pathophysiology, including cerebral amyloid and tau deposition and neurodegeneration. A total of 74 participants (7 Alzheimer’s disease, 16 mild cognitive impairment, 20 subjective cognitive decline, 31 cognitively normal older adults) underwent the frequency doubling technology 24-2 examination, a structural MRI scan and amyloid PET imaging for the assessment of visual contrast sensitivity. Of these participants, 46 participants (2 Alzheimer’s disease, 9 mild cognitive impairment, 12 subjective cognitive decline, 23 cognitively normal older adults) also underwent tau PET imaging with [18F]flortaucipir. The relationships between visual contrast sensitivity and cerebral amyloid and tau, as well as neurodegeneration, were assessed using partial Pearson correlations, covaried for age, sex and race and ethnicity. Voxel-wise associations were also evaluated for amyloid and tau. The ability of visual contrast sensitivity to predict amyloid and tau positivity were assessed using forward conditional logistic regression and receiver operating curve analysis. All analyses first were done in the full sample and then in the non-demented at-risk individuals (subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment) only. Significant associations between visual contrast sensitivity and regional amyloid and tau deposition were observed across the full sample and within subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment only. Voxel-wise analysis demonstrated strong associations of visual contrast sensitivity with amyloid and tau, primarily in temporal, parietal and occipital brain regions. Finally, visual contrast sensitivity accurately predicted amyloid and tau positivity. Alterations in visual contrast sensitivity were related to cerebral deposition of amyloid and tau, suggesting that this measure may be a good biomarker for detecting Alzheimer’s disease-related pathophysiology. Future studies in larger patient samples are needed, but these findings support the power of these measures of visual contrast sensitivity as a potential novel, inexpensive and easy-to-administer biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease-related pathology in older adults at risk for cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L Risacher
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Darrell WuDunn
- Department of Ophthalmology, UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Eileen F Tallman
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - John D West
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sujuan Gao
- Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Martin R Farlow
- Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jared R Brosch
- Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Liana G Apostolova
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Andrew J Saykin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Harper MM, Hedberg-Buenz A, Herlein J, Abrahamson EE, Anderson MG, Kuehn MH, Kardon RH, Poolman P, Ikonomovic MD. Blast-Mediated Traumatic Brain Injury Exacerbates Retinal Damage and Amyloidosis in the APPswePSENd19e Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:2716-2725. [PMID: 31247112 PMCID: PMC6735799 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-26353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a risk factor for developing chronic neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this study was to examine chronic effects of blast TBI on retinal ganglion cells (RGC), optic nerve, and brain amyloid load in a mouse model of AD amyloidosis. Methods Transgenic (TG) double-mutant APPswePSENd19e (APP/PS1) mice and nontransgenic (Non-TG) littermates were exposed to a single blast TBI (20 psi) at age 2 to 3 months. RGC cell structure and function was evaluated 2 months later (average age at endpoint = 4.5 months) using pattern electroretinogram (PERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and the chromatic pupil light reflex (cPLR), followed by histologic analysis of retina, optic nerve, and brain amyloid pathology. Results APP/PS1 mice exposed to blast TBI (TG-Blast) had significantly lower PERG and cPLR responses 2 months after injury compared to preblast values and compared to sham groups of APP/PS1 (TG-Sham) and nontransgenic (Non-TG-Sham) mice as well as nontransgenic blast-exposed mice (Non-TG-Blast). The TG-Blast group also had significantly thinner RGC complex and more optic nerve damage compared to all groups. No amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits were detected in retinas of APP/PS1 mice; however, increased amyloid precursor protein (APP)/Aβ-immunoreactivity was seen in TG-Blast compared to TG-Sham mice, particularly near blood vessels. TG-Blast and TG-Sham groups exhibited high variability in pathology severity, with a strong, but not statistically significant, trend for greater cerebral cortical Aβ plaque load in the TG-Blast compared to TG-Sham group. Conclusions When combined with a genetic susceptibility for developing amyloidosis of AD, blast TBI exposure leads to earlier RGC and optic nerve damage associated with modest but detectable increase in cerebral cortical Aβ pathology. These findings suggest that genetic risk factors for AD may increase the sensitivity of the retina to blast-mediated damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Harper
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States.,The Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Adam Hedberg-Buenz
- The Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, Iowa, United States.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Judith Herlein
- The Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Eric E Abrahamson
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.,Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Michael G Anderson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States.,The Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, Iowa, United States.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Markus H Kuehn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States.,The Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Randy H Kardon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States.,The Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Pieter Poolman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States.,The Iowa City VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Milos D Ikonomovic
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.,Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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44
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Ramzaoui H, Faure S, Spotorno S. Alzheimer's Disease, Visual Search, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: A Review and a New Perspective on Attention and Eye Movements. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 66:901-925. [PMID: 30400086 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), like cooking and managing finances and medications, involve finding efficiently and in a timely manner one or several objects within complex environments. They may thus be disrupted by visual search deficits. These deficits, present in Alzheimer's disease (AD) from its early stages, arise from impairments in multiple attentional and memory mechanisms. A growing body of research on visual search in AD has examined several factors underlying search impairments in simple arrays. Little is known about how AD patients search in real-world scenes and in real settings, and about how such impairments affect patients' functional autonomy. Here, we review studies on visuospatial attention and visual search in AD. We then consider why analysis of patients' oculomotor behavior is promising to improve understanding of the specific search deficits in AD, and of their role in impairing IADL performance. We also highlight why paradigms developed in research on real-world scenes and real settings in healthy individuals are valuable to investigate visual search in AD. Finally, we indicate future research directions that may offer new insights to improve visual search abilities and autonomy in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Ramzaoui
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie et de Psychologie Cliniques, Cognitives et Sociales, Université Côte d'Azur, France
| | - Sylvane Faure
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie et de Psychologie Cliniques, Cognitives et Sociales, Université Côte d'Azur, France
| | - Sara Spotorno
- School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, UK.,Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, UK
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Cheng DL, Thompson L, Snyder PJ. A Potential Association Between Retinal Changes, Subjective Memory Impairment, and Anxiety in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: A 27-Month Pilot Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:288. [PMID: 31736739 PMCID: PMC6830450 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The utility of subjective memory impairment (SMI) as a risk marker for preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear; however, recent studies have identified a correlation between retinal biomarkers and onset of preclinical disease. This study examines the relationship between retinal biomarkers that have been associated with cerebral amyloid, an early hallmark of AD, and SMI scores in patients at risk for developing AD. Methods Forty-nine cognitively normal subjects were followed over 27 months and evaluated using a combination of neuropsychological, psychological, and retinal imaging instruments. Subjective memory testing was conducted using the memory assessment clinic questionnaire (MACQ) and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS). Multivariate linear analysis was conducted using STATA software. Results Positive correlations were found between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) volume and scores obtained from the MAC-Q at 27 months (MAC-Q_27), the DASS questionnaire for anxiety at 27 months (DASS-A_27), and the change in DASS-A over 27 months (dDASSA). There was also a significant positive correlation between these variables and the change in RNFL thickness over 27 months (dRNFL). MACQ_27, DASSA_27, and dDASS-A accounted for 35.7% of RFNL variance at 27 months and 21.5% of dRFNL variance. Discussion These findings suggest that worse subjective memory complaints and anxiety scores may be associated with one of the most commonly used structural anatomical retinal markers of early disease burden in AD. If so, these results lend support to SMI as a valid risk marker for later cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick L Cheng
- The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Louisa Thompson
- Department of Neurology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Peter J Snyder
- Department of Neurology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.,The Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
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46
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Is brain connectome research the future frontier for subjective cognitive decline? A systematic review. Clin Neurophysiol 2019; 130:1762-1780. [PMID: 31401485 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We performed a systematic literature review on Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) in order to examine whether the resemblance of brain connectome and functional connectivity (FC) alterations in SCD with respect to MCI, AD and HC can help us draw conclusions on the progression of SCD to more advanced stages of dementia. METHODS We searched for studies that used any neuroimaging tool to investigate potential differences/similarities of brain connectome in SCD with respect to HC, MCI, and AD. RESULTS Sixteen studies were finally included in the review. Apparent FC connections and disruptions were observed in the white matter, default mode and gray matter networks in SCD with regards to HC, MCI, and AD. Interestingly, more apparent connections in SCD were located over the posterior regions, while an increase of FC over anterior regions was observed as the disease progressed. CONCLUSIONS Elders with SCD display a significant disruption of the brain network, which in most of the cases is worse than HC across multiple network parameters. SIGNIFICANCE The present review provides comprehensive and balanced coverage of a timely target research activity around SCD with the intention to identify similarities/differences across patient groups on the basis of brain connectome properties.
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47
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Pieruccini-Faria F, Lord SR, Toson B, Kemmler W, Schoene D. Mental Flexibility Influences the Association Between Poor Balance and Falls in Older People - A Secondary Analysis. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:133. [PMID: 31263408 PMCID: PMC6584815 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairments of balance predispose older people to falls. Some cognitive functions, especially executive functioning have been shown to affect balance and discriminate fallers from non-fallers. Mental flexibility is a component of the executive function and comprises multiple cognitive processes that work together to adjust the course of thoughts or actions according to the changing demands of a situation without the use of explicit instructions. However, the role of mental flexibility in balance in older people remains unclear. The study aim was to examine the relationship between mental flexibility and falls in a cohort of 212 older people (80.6 ± 4.9 years; 62% female). We hypothesized that: (i) participants with impaired balance would have worse mental flexibility compared to those with good balance; and (ii) poor mental flexibility would predict falls in the sub-group with impaired balance. Balance performance was assessed by measuring postural sway while standing on a medium density foam mat with eyes open for 30 s. Mental flexibility was assessed using a computerized short-form of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST; 64 cards) with its sub-components comprising general performance, perseveration, failure-to-maintain set and conceptual ability. Falls were measured prospectively for 12-months using monthly calendars. MANCOVA revealed that WCST performance was associated with balance [Wilks' Lambda = 0.883, F = 2.168; p = 0.013, partial eta squared ( η p 2 ) = 0.061] due primarily to reduced concept formation ability [F (2,207) = 5.787, p = 0.004, η p 2 = 0.053]. Negative binomial regression analysis adjusting for age, education, contrast sensitivity, proprioception, inhibition, and inhibitory choice stepping reaction time (iCSRT) revealed that lower concept formation ability was predictive for falls [Incidence Rate Ratio 1.048 (95% confidence interval 1.016-1.081)]. Further, lower concept formation ability partly explained the association between balance and falls: i.e., fallers in the upper balance tertile had reduced concept formation performance whereas non-fallers had similar concept formation performance across the three balance tertiles. These findings suggest that poor mental flexibility affects the ability to maintain steady balance contributing to increased risk of falls in older people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen R Lord
- Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Barbara Toson
- Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Kemmler
- Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniel Schoene
- Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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48
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Iqbal J, Zhang K, Jin N, Zhao Y, Liu X, Liu Q, Ni J, Shen L. Alzheimer's Disease Is Responsible for Progressive Age-Dependent Differential Expression of Various Protein Cascades in Retina of Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:2418-2433. [PMID: 30695639 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease associated with cognitive impairments and memory loss usually in aged people. In the past few years, it has been detected in the eye retina, manifesting the systematic spread of the disease. This might be used for biomarker discovery for early detection and treatment of the disease. Here, we have described the proteomic alterations in retina of 2, 4, and 6 months old 3×Tg-AD mice by using iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) proteomics technology. Out of the total identified proteins, 121 (71 up- and 50 down-regulated), 79 (51 up- and 28 down-regulated), and 153 (37 up- and 116 down-regulated) significantly differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) are found in 2, 4, and 6 month's mice retina (2, 4, and 6 M), respectively. Seventeen DEPs are found common in these three groups with consistent expression behavior or opposite expression in the three groups. Bioinformatics analysis of these DEPs highlighted their involvement in vital AD-related biological phenomenon. To further prompt the results, four proteins from 2 M group, three from 4 M, and four from 6 M age groups are successfully validated with Western blot analysis. This study confirms the retinal involvement of AD in the form of proteomic differences and further explains the protein-based molecular mechanisms, which might be a step toward biomarker discovery for early detection and treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javed Iqbal
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Kaoyuan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Na Jin
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Xukun Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Qiong Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Jiazuan Ni
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Liming Shen
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
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Yang Y, Wang Y, Zhang C, Zhu J, Yu Y. Neuroanatomical substrates underlying contrast sensitivity. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2019; 9:503-509. [PMID: 31032196 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.03.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contrast sensitivity (CS), a measurement of the ability to discriminate an object from its background, is an essential domain of visual functions. Eye aging or diseases are usually responsible for CS decline or impairment. However, whether neuroanatomical substrates are underlying CS is mostly unknown. METHODS High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging data of 100 healthy young subjects from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) dataset were used to calculate gray matter volume (GMV). CS was assessed using the Mars Contrast Sensitivity Test. A multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between CS and GMV in a voxel-wise manner within the whole gray matter. RESULTS The range of Mars_Final scores for the 100 participants was from 1.08 to 1.88, and we found significant positive correlations between the CS scores and GMV in the bilateral visual cortex. Precisely, the significant bilateral clusters were mainly located in bilateral V3A, with the superior parts extending to the bilateral posterior parietal cortex. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest the critical role of the dorsal visual stream in CS processing, which may provide insights into the neuroanatomical mechanism of contrast sensitivity and its relation to some brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Cun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yongqiang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
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50
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Chiquita S, Rodrigues-Neves AC, Baptista FI, Carecho R, Moreira PI, Castelo-Branco M, Ambrósio AF. The Retina as a Window or Mirror of the Brain Changes Detected in Alzheimer's Disease: Critical Aspects to Unravel. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:5416-5435. [PMID: 30612332 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1461-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent cause of dementia worldwide, representing a global health challenge, with a massive impact on the quality of life of Alzheimer's disease patients and their relatives. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease constitutes a real challenge, because the symptoms manifest years after the first degenerative changes occurring in the brain and the diagnosis is based on invasive and/or expensive techniques. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new reliable biomarkers to detect Alzheimer's disease at an early stage. Taking into account the evidence for visual deficits in Alzheimer's disease patients, sometimes even before the appearance of the first disease symptoms, and that the retina is an extension of the brain, the concept of the retina as a window to look into the brain or a mirror of the brain has received increasing interest in recent years. However, only a few studies have assessed the changes occurring in the retina and the brain at the same time points. Unlike previous reviews on this subject, which are mainly focused on brain changes, we organized this review by comprehensively summarizing findings related with structural, functional, cellular, and molecular parameters in the retina reported in both Alzheimer's disease patients and animal models. Moreover, we separated the studies that assessed only the retina, and those that assessed both the retina and brain, which are few but allow establishing correlations between the retina and brain. This review also highlights some inconsistent results in the literature as well as relevant missing gaps in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Chiquita
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana C Rodrigues-Neves
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa I Baptista
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rafael Carecho
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula I Moreira
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, ICNAS, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António F Ambrósio
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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