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Patterson EJ, Bounds AD, Wagner SK, Kadri-Langford R, Taylor R, Daly D. Oculomics: A Crusade Against the Four Horsemen of Chronic Disease. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:1427-1451. [PMID: 38630354 PMCID: PMC11109082 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-024-00942-x] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic, non-communicable diseases present a major barrier to living a long and healthy life. In many cases, early diagnosis can facilitate prevention, monitoring, and treatment efforts, improving patient outcomes. There is therefore a critical need to make screening techniques as accessible, unintimidating, and cost-effective as possible. The association between ocular biomarkers and systemic health and disease (oculomics) presents an attractive opportunity for detection of systemic diseases, as ophthalmic techniques are often relatively low-cost, fast, and non-invasive. In this review, we highlight the key associations between structural biomarkers in the eye and the four globally leading causes of morbidity and mortality: cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and metabolic disease. We observe that neurodegenerative disease is a particularly promising target for oculomics, with biomarkers detected in multiple ocular structures. Cardiovascular disease biomarkers are present in the choroid, retinal vasculature, and retinal nerve fiber layer, and metabolic disease biomarkers are present in the eyelid, tear fluid, lens, and retinal vasculature. In contrast, only the tear fluid emerged as a promising ocular target for the detection of cancer. The retina is a rich source of oculomics data, the analysis of which has been enhanced by artificial intelligence-based tools. Although not all biomarkers are disease-specific, limiting their current diagnostic utility, future oculomics research will likely benefit from combining data from various structures to improve specificity, as well as active design, development, and optimization of instruments that target specific disease signatures, thus facilitating differential diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Siegfried K Wagner
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust, 162 City Road, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Robin Taylor
- Occuity, The Blade, Abbey Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3BE, UK
| | - Dan Daly
- Occuity, The Blade, Abbey Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3BE, UK
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Tan YY, Kang HG, Lee CJ, Kim SS, Park S, Thakur S, Da Soh Z, Cho Y, Peng Q, Tham YC, Rim TH, Cheng CY. Prognostic potentials of AI in ophthalmology: systemic disease forecasting via retinal imaging. EYE AND VISION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 11:17. [PMID: 38711111 PMCID: PMC11071258 DOI: 10.1186/s40662-024-00384-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artificial intelligence (AI) that utilizes deep learning (DL) has potential for systemic disease prediction using retinal imaging. The retina's unique features enable non-invasive visualization of the central nervous system and microvascular circulation, aiding early detection and personalized treatment plans for personalized care. This review explores the value of retinal assessment, AI-based retinal biomarkers, and the importance of longitudinal prediction models in personalized care. MAIN TEXT This narrative review extensively surveys the literature for relevant studies in PubMed and Google Scholar, investigating the application of AI-based retina biomarkers in predicting systemic diseases using retinal fundus photography. The study settings, sample sizes, utilized AI models and corresponding results were extracted and analysed. This review highlights the substantial potential of AI-based retinal biomarkers in predicting neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney diseases. Notably, DL algorithms have demonstrated effectiveness in identifying retinal image features associated with cognitive decline, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore, longitudinal prediction models leveraging retinal images have shown potential in continuous disease risk assessment and early detection. AI-based retinal biomarkers are non-invasive, accurate, and efficient for disease forecasting and personalized care. CONCLUSION AI-based retinal imaging hold promise in transforming primary care and systemic disease management. Together, the retina's unique features and the power of AI enable early detection, risk stratification, and help revolutionizing disease management plans. However, to fully realize the potential of AI in this domain, further research and validation in real-world settings are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyun Goo Kang
- Division of Retina, Severance Eye Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chan Joo Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung Soo Kim
- Division of Retina, Severance Eye Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sungha Park
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sahil Thakur
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhi Da Soh
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yunnie Cho
- Mediwhale Inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Education and Human Resource Development, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Qingsheng Peng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yih-Chung Tham
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Mediwhale Inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tyler Hyungtaek Rim
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
- Mediwhale Inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Innovation and Precision Eye Health and Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Owsley C, McGwin G, Swain TA, Clark ME, Thomas TN, Goerdt L, Sloan KR, Trittschuh EH, Jiang Y, Owen JP, Lee CS, Curcio CA. Outer Retinal Thickness Is Associated With Cognitive Function in Normal Aging to Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:16. [PMID: 38717425 PMCID: PMC11090140 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.5.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and precursor states demonstrates a thinner retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL) compared to age-similar controls. Because AD and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) both impact older adults and share risk factors, we asked if retinal layer thicknesses, including NFL, are associated with cognition in AMD. Methods Adults ≥ 70 years with normal retinal aging, early AMD, or intermediate AMD per Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) nine-step grading of color fundus photography were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) volumes underwent 11-line segmentation and adjustments by a trained operator. Evaluated thicknesses reflect the vertical organization of retinal neurons and two vascular watersheds: NFL, ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer complex (GCL-IPL), inner retina, outer retina (including retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch's membrane), and total retina. Thicknesses were area weighted to achieve mean thickness across the 6-mm-diameter Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid. Cognitive status was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Toolbox cognitive battery for fluid and crystallized cognition. Correlations estimated associations between cognition and thicknesses, adjusting for age. Results Based on 63 subjects (21 per group), thinning of the outer retina was significantly correlated with lower cognition scores (P < 0.05). No other retinal thickness variables were associated with cognition. Conclusions Only the outer retina (photoreceptors, supporting glia, retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane) is associated with cognition in aging to intermediate AMD; NFL was not associated with cognition, contrary to AD-associated condition reports. Early and intermediate AMD constitute a retinal disease whose earliest, primary impact is in the outer retina. Our findings hint at a unique impact on the brain from the outer retina in persons with AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Owsley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Gerald McGwin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Thomas A. Swain
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Mark E. Clark
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Tracy N. Thomas
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Lukas Goerdt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth R. Sloan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Emily H. Trittschuh
- VA Puget Sound Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Yu Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- The Roger and Angie Karalis Johnson Retina Center, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Julia P. Owen
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- The Roger and Angie Karalis Johnson Retina Center, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Cecilia S. Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- The Roger and Angie Karalis Johnson Retina Center, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Christine A. Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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4
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Oertel FC, Casillas D, Cobigo Y, Condor Montes S, Heuer HW, Chapman M, Beaudry-Richard A, Reinsberg H, Abdelhak A, Cordano C, Boeve BF, Dickerson BC, Grossman M, Huey E, Irwin DJ, Litvan I, Pantelyat A, Tartaglia MC, Vandevrede L, Boxer A, Green AJ. Scientific commentary on: "Phosphorylated tau in the retina correlates with tau pathology in the brain in Alzheimer's disease and primary tauopathies". Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:30. [PMID: 38308717 PMCID: PMC10838223 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02656-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederike C Oertel
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Casillas
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yann Cobigo
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Memory and Aging Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shivany Condor Montes
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hilary W Heuer
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Memory and Aging Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Makenna Chapman
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexandra Beaudry-Richard
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Henriette Reinsberg
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ahmed Abdelhak
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christian Cordano
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bradley F Boeve
- Mayo Center for Sleep Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Bradford C Dickerson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Edward Huey
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and New York Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - David J Irwin
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Irene Litvan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Alexander Pantelyat
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lawren Vandevrede
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Memory and Aging Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adam Boxer
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Memory and Aging Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ari J Green
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Sandler Neurosciences Building, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA.
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5
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Goerdt L, Holz FG, Finger RP. [Retinal optical coherence tomography biomarkers in dementia]. DIE OPHTHALMOLOGIE 2024; 121:84-92. [PMID: 37847375 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-023-01947-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the general aging of society, the prevalence and incidence of dementia are expected to increase considerably. In order to timely identify patients and assess their need for treatment and/or supportive measures, comprehensive and easy access screening methods are required, which, however, are yet to be developed. To date, several biomarkers for the presence of dementia on high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) images were identified. AIM To summarize previously identified OCT biomarkers in dementia and to assess their suitability for comprehensive screening examinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS A literature search was conducted on PubMed until March 2023 for the keywords "dementia", "mild cognitive impairment", "OCT", "OCT angiography" and "retinal biomarkers". Relevant publications were identified and summarized. RESULTS Numerous unspecific alterations on OCT imaging and OCT‑A were identified in patients with (predementia) dementia according to many population and clinical studies. These include a reduced thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, the ganglion cell complex and the central retinal region. Additionally, a reduced vascular density and an enlarged foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were identified on OCT‑A imaging. CONCLUSION The currently known OCT biomarkers are too unspecific, and there is to date no OCT or OCT-A-based signature distinguishing between different types of dementia. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to develop and evaluate such distinct OCT signatures for different types of dementia and their respective early disease stages and to assess their prognostic value. Only then is the inclusion in comprehensive screening investigations feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Goerdt
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland.
| | - F G Holz
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - R P Finger
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Deutschland
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Esser EL, Lahme L, Dierse S, Diener R, Eter N, Wiendl H, Duning T, Pawlowski M, Krämer J, Alnawaiseh M. Quantitative Analysis of Retinal Perfusion in Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:211. [PMID: 38248087 PMCID: PMC10814824 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14020211] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) provides detailed visualization of the perfusion of the vascular network of the eye. While in other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment, reduced retinal perfusion was frequently reported, data of patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are lacking. OBJECTIVE Retinal and optic nerve head perfusion was evaluated in patients with FTD with OCT-A. Quantitative OCT-A metrics were analyzed and correlated with clinical markers and vascular cerebral lesions in FTD patients. METHODS OCT-A was performed in 18 eyes of 18 patients with FTD and 18 eyes of 18 healthy participants using RTVue XR Avanti with AngioVue. In addition, patients underwent a detailed ophthalmological, neurological, and neuropsychological examination, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and lumbar puncture. RESULTS The flow density in the optic nerve head (ONH) and in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) of the macula of patients was significantly lower compared to that of healthy controls (p < 0.001). Similarly, the VD in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) of the macula of patients was significantly lower compared to that of healthy controls (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between the flow density data, white matter lesions in brain MRI, cognitive deficits, and cerebrospinal fluid markers of dementia. CONCLUSIONS Patients with FTD showed a reduced flow density in the ONH, and in the superficial and deep retinal capillary plexus of the macula, when compared with that of healthy controls. Quantitative analyses of retinal perfusion using OCT-A may therefore help in the diagnosis and monitoring of FTD. Larger and longitudinal studies are necessary to evaluate if OCT-A is a suitable biomarker for patients with FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Luisa Esser
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D15, 48149 Münster, Germany (M.A.)
| | - Larissa Lahme
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D15, 48149 Münster, Germany (M.A.)
| | - Sebastian Dierse
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D15, 48149 Münster, Germany (M.A.)
| | - Raphael Diener
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D15, 48149 Münster, Germany (M.A.)
| | - Nicole Eter
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D15, 48149 Münster, Germany (M.A.)
| | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Duning
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Bremen-Ost, 28325 Bremen, Germany
| | - Matthias Pawlowski
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Julia Krämer
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Maged Alnawaiseh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Münster, Albert- Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D15, 48149 Münster, Germany (M.A.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Bielefeld, 33604 Bielefeld, Germany
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7
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Lu J, Cheng Y, Hiya FE, Shen M, Herrera G, Zhang Q, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PJ, Wang RK. Deep-learning-based automated measurement of outer retinal layer thickness for use in the assessment of age-related macular degeneration, applicable to both swept-source and spectral-domain OCT imaging. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 15:413-427. [PMID: 38223170 PMCID: PMC10783897 DOI: 10.1364/boe.512359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Effective biomarkers are required for assessing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a prevalent and progressive eye disease. This paper presents a deep learning-based automated algorithm, applicable to both swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) scans, for measuring outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness as a surrogate biomarker for outer retinal degeneration, e.g., photoreceptor disruption, to assess AMD progression. The algorithm was developed based on a modified TransUNet model with clinically annotated retinal features manifested in the progression of AMD. The algorithm demonstrates a high accuracy with an intersection of union (IoU) of 0.9698 in the testing dataset for segmenting ORL using both SS-OCT and SD-OCT datasets. The robustness and applicability of the algorithm are indicated by strong correlation (r = 0.9551, P < 0.0001 in the central-fovea 3 mm-circle, and r = 0.9442, P < 0.0001 in the 5 mm-circle) and agreement (the mean bias = 0.5440 um in the 3-mm circle, and 1.392 um in the 5-mm circle) of the ORL thickness measurements between SS-OCT and SD-OCT scans. Comparative analysis reveals significant differences (P < 0.0001) in ORL thickness among 80 normal eyes, 30 intermediate AMD eyes with reticular pseudodrusen, 49 intermediate AMD eyes with drusen, and 40 late AMD eyes with geographic atrophy, highlighting its potential as an independent biomarker for predicting AMD progression. The findings provide valuable insights into the ORL alterations associated with different stages of AMD and emphasize the potential of ORL thickness as a sensitive indicator of AMD severity and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yuxuan Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Farhan E. Hiya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mengxi Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Gissel Herrera
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Qinqin Zhang
- Research and Development, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Philip J. Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ruikang K. Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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8
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Heger KA, Waldstein SM. Artificial intelligence in retinal imaging: current status and future prospects. Expert Rev Med Devices 2024; 21:73-89. [PMID: 38088362 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2023.2294364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The steadily growing and aging world population, in conjunction with continuously increasing prevalences of vision-threatening retinal diseases, is placing an increasing burden on the global healthcare system. The main challenges within retinology involve identifying the comparatively few patients requiring therapy within the large mass, the assurance of comprehensive screening for retinal disease and individualized therapy planning. In order to sustain high-quality ophthalmic care in the future, the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into our clinical practice represents a potential solution. AREAS COVERED This review sheds light onto already realized and promising future applications of AI techniques in retinal imaging. The main attention is directed at the application in diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. The principles of use in disease screening, grading, therapeutic planning and prediction of future developments are explained based on the currently available literature. EXPERT OPINION The recent accomplishments of AI in retinal imaging indicate that its implementation into our daily practice is likely to fundamentally change the ophthalmic healthcare system and bring us one step closer to the goal of individualized treatment. However, it must be emphasized that the aim is to optimally support clinicians by gradually incorporating AI approaches, rather than replacing ophthalmologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina A Heger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Landesklinikum Mistelbach-Gaenserndorf, Mistelbach, Austria
| | - Sebastian M Waldstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Landesklinikum Mistelbach-Gaenserndorf, Mistelbach, Austria
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9
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Suh A, Ong J, Kamran SA, Waisberg E, Paladugu P, Zaman N, Sarker P, Tavakkoli A, Lee AG. Retina Oculomics in Neurodegenerative Disease. Ann Biomed Eng 2023; 51:2708-2721. [PMID: 37855949 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03365-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Ophthalmic biomarkers have long played a critical role in diagnosing and managing ocular diseases. Oculomics has emerged as a field that utilizes ocular imaging biomarkers to provide insights into systemic diseases. Advances in diagnostic and imaging technologies including electroretinography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy, and OCT angiography have revolutionized the ability to understand systemic diseases and even detect them earlier than clinical manifestations for earlier intervention. With the advent of increasingly large ophthalmic imaging datasets, machine learning models can be integrated into these ocular imaging biomarkers to provide further insights and prognostic predictions of neurodegenerative disease. In this manuscript, we review the use of ophthalmic imaging to provide insights into neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Huntington Disease. We discuss recent advances in ophthalmic technology including eye-tracking technology and integration of artificial intelligence techniques to further provide insights into these neurodegenerative diseases. Ultimately, oculomics opens the opportunity to detect and monitor systemic diseases at a higher acuity. Thus, earlier detection of systemic diseases may allow for timely intervention for improving the quality of life in patients with neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Suh
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
| | - Joshua Ong
- Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sharif Amit Kamran
- Human-Machine Perception Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Ethan Waisberg
- University College Dublin School of Medicine, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Phani Paladugu
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nasif Zaman
- Human-Machine Perception Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Prithul Sarker
- Human-Machine Perception Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Alireza Tavakkoli
- Human-Machine Perception Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Andrew G Lee
- Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6560 Fannin St #450, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
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10
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Ibrahim Y, Xie J, Macerollo A, Sardone R, Shen Y, Romano V, Zheng Y. A Systematic Review on Retinal Biomarkers to Diagnose Dementia from OCT/OCTA Images. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:1201-1235. [PMID: 38025800 PMCID: PMC10657718 DOI: 10.3233/adr-230042] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Traditional methods for diagnosing dementia are costly, time-consuming, and somewhat invasive. Since the retina shares significant anatomical similarities with the brain, retinal abnormalities detected via optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have been studied as a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool for neurodegenerative disorders; however, the most effective retinal changes remain a mystery to be unraveled in this review. Objective This study aims to explore the relationship between retinal abnormalities in OCT/OCTA images and cognitive decline as well as evaluating biomarkers' effectiveness in detecting neurodegenerative diseases. Methods A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until December 2022, resulted in 64 papers using agreed search keywords, and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results The superior peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) is a trustworthy biomarker to identify most Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases; however, it is inefficient when dealing with mild AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The global pRNFL (pRNFL-G) is another reliable biomarker to discriminate frontotemporal dementia from mild AD and healthy controls (HCs), moderate AD and MCI from HCs, as well as identifing pathological Aβ42/tau in cognitively healthy individuals. Conversely, pRNFL-G fails to realize mild AD and the progression of AD. The average pRNFL thickness variation is considered a viable biomarker to monitor the progression of AD. Finally, the superior and average pRNFL thicknesses are considered consistent for advanced AD but not for early/mild AD. Conclusions Retinal changes may indicate dementia, but further research is needed to confirm the most effective biomarkers for early and mild AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehia Ibrahim
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jianyang Xie
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Antonella Macerollo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rodolfo Sardone
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Statistics and Epidemiology Unit, Local Healthcare Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Yaochun Shen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Vito Romano
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Yalin Zheng
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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11
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Grossman M, Seeley WW, Boxer AL, Hillis AE, Knopman DS, Ljubenov PA, Miller B, Piguet O, Rademakers R, Whitwell JL, Zetterberg H, van Swieten JC. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2023; 9:40. [PMID: 37563165 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00447-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is one of the most common causes of early-onset dementia and presents with early social-emotional-behavioural and/or language changes that can be accompanied by a pyramidal or extrapyramidal motor disorder. About 20-25% of individuals with FTLD are estimated to carry a mutation associated with a specific FTLD pathology. The discovery of these mutations has led to important advances in potentially disease-modifying treatments that aim to slow progression or delay disease onset and has improved understanding of brain functioning. In both mutation carriers and those with sporadic disease, the most common underlying diagnoses are linked to neuronal and glial inclusions containing tau (FTLD-tau) or TDP-43 (FTLD-TDP), although 5-10% of patients may have inclusions containing proteins from the FUS-Ewing sarcoma-TAF15 family (FTLD-FET). Biomarkers definitively identifying specific pathological entities in sporadic disease have been elusive, which has impeded development of disease-modifying treatments. Nevertheless, disease-monitoring biofluid and imaging biomarkers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are likely to serve as useful measures of treatment response during trials of disease-modifying treatments. Symptomatic trials using novel approaches such as transcranial direct current stimulation are also beginning to show promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology and Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William W Seeley
- Departments of Neurology and Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Adam L Boxer
- Departments of Neurology and Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Argye E Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Peter A Ljubenov
- Departments of Neurology and Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce Miller
- Departments of Neurology and Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Olivier Piguet
- School of Psychology and Brain and Mind Center, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rosa Rademakers
- VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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12
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Kim BJ, Grossman M, Aleman TS, Song D, Cousins KAQ, McMillan CT, Saludades A, Yu Y, Lee EB, Wolk D, Van Deerlin VM, Shaw LM, Ying GS, Irwin DJ. Retinal photoreceptor layer thickness has disease specificity and distinguishes predicted FTLD-Tau from biomarker-determined Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 125:74-82. [PMID: 36857870 PMCID: PMC10038934 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
While Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with inner retina thinning (retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer), we have observed photoreceptor outer nuclear layer (ONL) thinning in patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration tauopathy (FTLD-Tau) compared to normal controls. We hypothesized that ONL thinning may distinguish FTLD-Tau from patients with biomarker evidence of AD neuropathologic change (ADNC) and will correlate with FTLD-Tau disease severity. Predicted FTLD-Tau (pFTLD-Tau; n = 21; 33 eyes) and predicted ADNC (pADNC; n = 24; 46 eyes) patients were consecutively enrolled, underwent optical coherence tomography macula imaging, and disease was categorized (pFTLD-Tau vs. pADNC) with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, genetic testing, and autopsy data when available. Adjusting for age, sex, and race, pFTLD-Tau patients had a thinner ONL compared to pADNC, while retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer were not significantly different. Reduced ONL thickness correlated with worse performance on Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination and clinical dementia rating plus frontotemporal dementia sum of boxes for pFTLD-Tau but not pADNC. Photoreceptor ONL thickness may serve as an important noninvasive diagnostic marker that distinguishes FTLD-Tau from AD neuropathologic change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tomas S Aleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Delu Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katheryn A Q Cousins
- Department of Neurology, Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Corey T McMillan
- Department of Neurology, Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adrienne Saludades
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yinxi Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Edward B Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute on Aging, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Wolk
- Department of Neurology, Penn Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute on Aging, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vivianna M Van Deerlin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leslie M Shaw
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gui-Shuang Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David J Irwin
- Department of Neurology, Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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13
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Parka A, Volbracht C, Hall B, Bastlund JF, Nedergaard M, Laursen B, Botta P, Sotty F. Visual Evoked Potentials as an Early-Stage Biomarker in the rTg4510 Tauopathy Mouse Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 93:247-262. [PMID: 37005884 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Background: Tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are characterized by formation of neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Early pathophysiological and functional changes related to neurofibrillary tangles formation are considered to occur prior to extensive neurodegeneration. Hyperphosphorylated tau has been detected in postmortem retinas of AD and FTD patients, and the visual pathway is an easily accessible system in a clinical setting. Hence, assessment of the visual function may offer the potential to detect consequences of early tau pathology in patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate visual function in a tauopathy mouse model in relation to tau hyperphosphorylation and neurodegeneration. Methods: In this study we explored the association between the visual system and functional consequences of tau pathology progression using a tauopathy rTg4510 mouse model. To this end, we recorded full-field electroretinography and visual evoked potentials in anesthetized and awake states at different ages. Results: While retinal function remained mostly intact within all the age groups investigated, we detected significant changes in amplitudes of visual evoked potential responses in young rTg4510 mice exhibiting early tau pathology prior to neurodegeneration. These functional alterations in the visual cortex were positively correlated with pathological tau levels. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that visual processing could be useful as a novel electrophysiological biomarker for early stages of tauopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Parka
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- H. Lundbeck A/S, Research, Valby, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Maiken Nedergaard
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Moon S, Jeon S, Seo SK, Kim DE, Jung NY, Kim SJ, Lee MJ, Lee J, Kim EJ. Comparison of Retinal Structural and Neurovascular Changes between Patients with and without Amyloid Pathology. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041310. [PMID: 36835845 PMCID: PMC9964845 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041310] [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: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate whether an impaired anterior visual pathway (retinal structures with microvasculature) is associated with underlying beta-amyloid (Aβ) pathologies in patients with Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), we compared retinal structural and vascular factors in each subgroup with positive or negative amyloid biomarkers. Twenty-seven patients with dementia, thirty-five with MCI, and nine with cognitively unimpaired (CU) controls were consecutively recruited. All participants were divided into positive Aβ (A+) or negative Aβ (A-) pathology based on amyloid positron emission tomography or cerebrospinal fluid Aβ. The retinal circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT), macular ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer thickness (mGC/IPLT), and microcirculation of the macular superficial capillary plexus were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography. One eye of each participant was included in the analysis. Retinal structural and vascular factors significantly decreased in the following order: dementia < MCI < CU controls. The A+ group had significantly lower microcirculation in the para- and peri-foveal temporal regions than did the A-. However, the structural and vascular parameters did not differ between the A+ and A- with dementia. The cpRNFLT was unexpectedly greater in the A+ than in the A- with MCI. mGC/IPLT was lower in the A+ CU than in the A- CU. Our findings suggest that retinal structural changes may occur in the preclinical and early stages of dementia but are not highly specific to AD pathophysiology. In contrast, decreased temporal macula microcirculation may be used as a biomarker for the underlying Aβ pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangwoo Moon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumin Jeon
- Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sook Kyeong Seo
- Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Eun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Na-Yeon Jung
- Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Joo Kim
- Department of Neurology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine and Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon 51472, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Jun Lee
- Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwoong Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (E.-J.K.)
| | - Eun-Joo Kim
- Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (E.-J.K.)
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15
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Vujosevic S, Parra MM, Hartnett ME, O'Toole L, Nuzzi A, Limoli C, Villani E, Nucci P. Optical coherence tomography as retinal imaging biomarker of neuroinflammation/neurodegeneration in systemic disorders in adults and children. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:203-219. [PMID: 35428871 PMCID: PMC9012155 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-022-02056-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina and the optic nerve are considered extensions of the central nervous system (CNS) and thus can serve as the window for evaluation of CNS disorders. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows for detailed evaluation of the retina and the optic nerve. OCT can non-invasively document changes in single retina layer thickness and structure due to neuronal and retinal glial cells (RGC) modifications in systemic and local inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. These can include evaluation of retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell complex, hyper-reflective retinal spots (HRS, sign of activated microglial cells in the retina), subfoveal neuroretinal detachment, disorganization of the inner retinal layers (DRIL), thickness and integrity of the outer retinal layers and choroidal thickness. This review paper will report the most recent data on the use of OCT as a non invasive imaging biomarker for evaluation of the most common systemic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative/neurocognitive disorders in the adults and in paediatric population. In the adult population the main focus will be on diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, optic neuromyelitis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis, Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and schizophrenia. In the paediatric population, demyelinating diseases, lysosomal storage diseases, Nieman Pick type C disease, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, human immunodeficiency virus, leukodystrophies spinocerebellar ataxia will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stela Vujosevic
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Eye Clinic, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy.
| | - M Margarita Parra
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Hartnett
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Louise O'Toole
- Department of Ophthalmology Mater Private Network, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alessia Nuzzi
- Eye Clinic, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
- University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Celeste Limoli
- Eye Clinic, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
- University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Villani
- Eye Clinic, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Nucci
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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16
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Wong BM, Hudson C, Snook E, Tayyari F, Jung H, Binns MA, Samet S, Cheng RW, Balian C, Mandelcorn ED, Margolin E, Finger E, Black SE, Tang-Wai DF, Zinman L, Tan B, Lou W, Masellis M, Abrahao A, Frank A, Beaton D, Sunderland KM, Arnott SR, Tartaglia MC, Hatch WV. Retinal nerve fiber layer in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:964715. [PMID: 36278002 PMCID: PMC9583385 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.964715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Tauopathy and transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) proteinopathy are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. These proteinopathies are difficult to detect in vivo. This study examined if spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) can differentiate in vivo the difference in peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness and macular retinal thickness between participants with presumed tauopathy (progressive supranuclear palsy) and those with presumed TDP-43 proteinopathy (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and semantic variant primary progressive aphasia). Study design Prospective, multi-centre, observational study. Materials and methods pRNFL and macular SD-OCT images were acquired in both eyes of each participant using Heidelberg Spectralis SD-OCT. Global and pRNFL thickness in 6 sectors were analyzed, as well as macular thickness in a central 1 mm diameter zone and 4 surrounding sectors. Linear mixed model methods adjusting for baseline differences between groups were used to compare the two groups with respect to pRNFL and macular thickness. Results A significant difference was found in mean pRNFL thickness between groups, with the TDP-43 group (n = 28 eyes) having a significantly thinner pRNFL in the temporal sector than the tauopathy group (n = 9 eyes; mean difference = 15.46 μm, SE = 6.98, p = 0.046), which was not significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. No other significant differences were found between groups for pRNFL or macular thickness. Conclusion The finding that the temporal pRNFL in the TDP-43 group was on average 15.46 μm thinner could potentially have clinical significance. Future work with larger sample sizes, longitudinal studies, and at the level of retinal sublayers will help to determine the utility of SD-OCT to differentiate between these two proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan M. Wong
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Bryan M. Wong,
| | - Christopher Hudson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Emily Snook
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Faryan Tayyari
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Kensington Eye Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hyejung Jung
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Malcolm A. Binns
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Saba Samet
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Carmen Balian
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Kensington Eye Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Efrem D. Mandelcorn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Kensington Eye Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Edward Margolin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Kensington Eye Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Finger
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sandra E. Black
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David F. Tang-Wai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network Memory Clinic, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lorne Zinman
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Tan
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wendy Lou
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mario Masellis
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Agessandro Abrahao
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Frank
- Bruyere Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Derek Beaton
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Stephen R. Arnott
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network Memory Clinic, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wendy V. Hatch
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Kensington Eye Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis of Retinal Layers in Celiac Disease. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11164727. [PMID: 36012966 PMCID: PMC9409633 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11164727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Celiac disease is an immune-mediated, chronic, inflammatory, and systemic illness which could affect the eye. The aim of this study is to look for possible signs of retinal involvement in celiac disease that could be utilized as biomarkers for this disease. Sixty-six patients with celiac disease and sixty-six sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this observational case–control study. A comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation, axial length measurements, and SD-OCT evaluation were performed. The thickness of the retinal layers at the circle centered on the fovea (1 mm in diameter) and the average of the foveal and parafoveal zones at 2 and 3 mm in diameter were evaluated, together with retinal volume and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). Concerning the thicknesses of the retinal layers in each analyzed region, no statistically significant differences were found. The same results were obtained for the total volume. Regarding peripapillary RNFL, the celiac patients showed slightly thicker values than the healthy controls, except for temporal and nasal-inferior quadrants, with no statistically significant differences. All the analyzed parameters were similar for the celiac patients and the healthy individuals. This could be related either to the non-involvement of the retinal layers in celiac disease pathophysiology or to the gluten-free diet effect.
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18
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Retinal thinning in progressive supranuclear palsy: differences with healthy controls and correlation with clinical variables. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:4803-4809. [PMID: 35411501 PMCID: PMC9349141 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06061-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Available evidence reports conflicting data on retinal thickness in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). In studies including healthy controls, PSP showed either the thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, macular ganglion cell, inner nuclear, or outer retina layer. Objectives The goals of the present study were to describe retinal layer thickness in a large cohort of PSP compared to healthy controls and in PSP phenotypes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The additional objective was to verify the relationship between retinal layers thickness and clinical variables in PSP. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, we examined retinal structure in 27 PSP patients and 27 controls using standard SD-OCT. Motor and cognitive impairment in PSP was rated with the PSP rating scale and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment battery (MoCA), respectively. Eyes with poor image quality or confounding diseases were excluded. SD-OCT measures of PSP and controls were compared with parametric testing, and correlations between retinal layer thicknesses and disease severity were evaluated. Results PSP showed significant thinning of the inner retinal layer (IRL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and the outer plexiform layer (OPL) compared to healthy controls. PSP phenotypes showed similar retinal layer thicknesses. Retinal layer thickness correlated with MoCA visuospatial subscore (p < 0.001). Conclusions We demonstrated PSP patients disclosed thinner IRL, GCL, IPL, and OPL compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between visuospatial abilities and retinal layers suggesting the existence of a mutual relationship between posterior cognitive function and retinal structure.
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Ryan B, O’Mara Baker A, Ilse C, Brickell KL, Kersten HM, Williams JM, Addis DR, Tippett LJ, Curtis MA. The New Zealand Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Study (FTDGeNZ): a longitudinal study of pre-symptomatic biomarkers. J R Soc N Z 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2022.2101483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brigid Ryan
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Ashleigh O’Mara Baker
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Christina Ilse
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Kiri L. Brickell
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Hannah M. Kersten
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Joanna M. Williams
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Donna Rose Addis
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lynette J. Tippett
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - Maurice A. Curtis
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, New Zealand
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20
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Peng Q, Tseng RMWW, Tham YC, Cheng CY, Rim TH. Detection of Systemic Diseases From Ocular Images Using Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2022; 11:126-139. [PMID: 35533332 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the huge investment in health care, there is still a lack of precise and easily accessible screening systems. With proven associations to many systemic diseases, the eye could potentially provide a credible perspective as a novel screening tool. This systematic review aims to summarize the current applications of ocular image-based artificial intelligence on the detection of systemic diseases and suggest future trends for systemic disease screening. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on September 1, 2021, using 3 databases-PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science library. Date restrictions were not imposed and search terms covering ocular images, systemic diseases, and artificial intelligence aspects were used. RESULTS Thirty-three papers were included in this systematic review. A spectrum of target diseases was observed, and this included but was not limited to cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, central nervous system diseases, renal dysfunctions, and hepatological diseases. Additionally, one- third of the papers included risk factor predictions for the respective systemic diseases. CONCLUSIONS Ocular image - based artificial intelligence possesses potential diagnostic power to screen various systemic diseases and has also demonstrated the ability to detect Alzheimer and chronic kidney diseases at early stages. Further research is needed to validate these models for real-world implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingsheng Peng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
- Clinical and Translational Sciences Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Yih-Chung Tham
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program (Eye ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ching-Yu Cheng
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program (Eye ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Tyler Hyungtaek Rim
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program (Eye ACP), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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21
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Christinaki E, Kulenovic H, Hadoux X, Baldassini N, Van Eijgen J, De Groef L, Stalmans I, van Wijngaarden P. Retinal imaging biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases. Clin Exp Optom 2022; 105:194-204. [PMID: 34751086 DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2021.1984179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The timely detection of neurodegenerative diseases is central to improving clinical care as well as enabling the development and deployment of disease-modifying therapies. Retinal imaging is emerging as a method to detect features of a number of neurodegenerative diseases, given the anatomical and functional similarities between the retina and the brain. This review provides an overview of the current status of retinal imaging biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis. Whilst research findings are promising, efforts to harmonise study designs and imaging methods will be important in translating these findings into clinical care. Doing so may mean that eye care providers will play important roles in the detection of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Christinaki
- Research Group Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hana Kulenovic
- Research Group Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xavier Hadoux
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicole Baldassini
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jan Van Eijgen
- Research Group Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies De Groef
- Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ingeborg Stalmans
- Research Group Ophthalmology, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter van Wijngaarden
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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22
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Kim BJ, Lee V, Lee EB, Saludades A, Trojanowski JQ, Dunaief JL, Grossman M, Irwin DJ. Retina tissue validation of optical coherence tomography determined outer nuclear layer loss in FTLD-tau. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:184. [PMID: 34794500 PMCID: PMC8600822 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01290-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with inner retina (nerve fiber and ganglion cell layers) thinning. In contrast, we have seen outer retina thinning driven by photoreceptor outer nuclear layer (ONL) thinning with antemortem optical coherence tomography (OCT) among patients considered to have a frontotemporal degeneration tauopathy (FTLD-Tau). Our objective was to determine if postmortem retinal tissue from FTLD-Tau patients demonstrates ONL loss observed antemortem on OCT. Two probable FTLD-Tau patients that were deeply phenotyped by clinical and genetic testing were imaged with OCT and followed to autopsy. Postmortem brain and retinal tissue were evaluated by a neuropathologist and ocular pathologist, respectively, masked to diagnosis. OCT findings were correlated with retinal histology. The two patients had autopsy-confirmed FTLD-Tau neuropathology and had antemortem OCT measurements showing ONL thinning (66.9 μm, patient #1; 74.9 μm, patient #2) below the 95% confidence interval of normal limits (75.1-120.7 μm) in our healthy control cohort. Postmortem, retinal tissue from both patients demonstrated loss of nuclei in the ONL, matching ONL loss visualized on antemortem OCT. Nuclei counts from each area of ONL loss (2 - 3 nuclei per column) seen in patient eyes were below the 95% confidence interval (4 - 8 nuclei per column for ONL) of 3 normal control retinas analyzed at the same location. Our evaluation of retinal tissue from FTLD-Tau patients confirms ONL loss seen antemortem by OCT. Continued investigation of ONL thinning as a biomarker that may distinguish FTLD-Tau from other dementias is warranted.
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23
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Retinal Degeneration and Microglial Dynamics in Mature Progranulin-Deficient Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111557. [PMID: 34768987 PMCID: PMC8584076 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111557] [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: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted glycoprotein that regulates numerous cellular processes. The role of PGRN as a regulator of lysosomes has recently received attention. The purpose of this study was to characterize the retinal phenotype in mature PGRN knockout (Grn−/−) mice. The a-wave amplitude of scotopic electroretinogram and outer nuclear thickness were significantly reduced at 6 months of age in Grn−/− mice compared to wild-type (Grn+/+) mice. In Grn−/− mice, retinal microglial cells accumulated on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) apical layer, and the number of infiltrated microglia and white fundus lesions between 2 and 6 months of age showed a close affinity. In Grn+/+ mice, PGRN was located in the retina, while the strongest PGRN signals were detected in the RPE-choroid. The different effects of PGRN deficiency on the expression of lysosomal proteins between the retina and RPE-choroid were demonstrated. Our data suggest that the subretinal translocation of microglia is a characteristic phenotype in the retina of mature PGRN knockout mice. The different effects of PGRN deficiency on the expression of lysosomal proteins between the retina and RPE-choroid might modulate microglial dynamics in PGRN knockout mice.
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24
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Moinuddin O, Khandwala NS, Young KZ, Sathrasala SK, Barmada SJ, Albin RL, Besirli CG. Role of Optical Coherence Tomography in Identifying Retinal Biomarkers in Frontotemporal Dementia: A Review. Neurol Clin Pract 2021; 11:e516-e523. [PMID: 34484950 DOI: 10.1212/cpj.0000000000001041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is often misdiagnosed or recognized late. Clinical heterogeneity and overlap with other dementias impede accurate diagnosis. FTD biomarkers are limited, expensive, and invasive. We present a narrative review of the current literature focused on optical coherence tomography (OCT) to identify retinal biomarkers of dementia, discuss OCT findings in FTD, and explore the implications of an FTD-specific ocular biomarker for research and patient care. Recent Findings Recent studies suggest that outer retinal thinning detected via OCT may function as a novel ocular biomarker of FTD. The degree and rate of inner retinal thinning may correlate with disease severity and progression. In Alzheimer disease (AD), OCT demonstrates thinning of the inner retina, which may differentiate this condition from FTD. We conducted a comprehensive search of the literature and reviewed published OCT findings in FTD, AD, and mild cognitive impairment, as well as reports on biomarkers of FTD and AD used in the research and patient care settings. Three of the authors (O.M., N.S.K., and K.Z.Y.) independently conducted literature searches using PubMed to identify studies published before May 1, 2020, using the following search terminology: "Alzheimer's disease," "Alzheimer's dementia," "frontotemporal dementia," "FTD," "mild cognitive impairment," "dementia biomarkers," and "neurodegeneration biomarkers." Search results were then refined using one or more of the following keywords: "optical coherence tomography," "optical coherence tomography angiography," "retinal imaging," and "retinal thinning." The selection of published works for inclusion in this narrative review was then limited to full-text articles written in English based on consensus agreement of the authors. Summary FTD diagnosis is imprecise, emphasizing the need for improved state and trait biomarkers. OCT imaging of the retina holds considerable potential for establishing effective ocular biomarkers for FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Moinuddin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (OM, GGB), W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan; University of Michigan Medical School (NSK, KZY); University of Michigan (SKS); Department of Neurology (SJB, RLA), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and GRECC & Neurology Service (RLA), Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, MI
| | - Nikhila S Khandwala
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (OM, GGB), W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan; University of Michigan Medical School (NSK, KZY); University of Michigan (SKS); Department of Neurology (SJB, RLA), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and GRECC & Neurology Service (RLA), Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, MI
| | - Kelly Z Young
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (OM, GGB), W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan; University of Michigan Medical School (NSK, KZY); University of Michigan (SKS); Department of Neurology (SJB, RLA), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and GRECC & Neurology Service (RLA), Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, MI
| | - Sanjana K Sathrasala
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (OM, GGB), W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan; University of Michigan Medical School (NSK, KZY); University of Michigan (SKS); Department of Neurology (SJB, RLA), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and GRECC & Neurology Service (RLA), Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, MI
| | - Sami J Barmada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (OM, GGB), W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan; University of Michigan Medical School (NSK, KZY); University of Michigan (SKS); Department of Neurology (SJB, RLA), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and GRECC & Neurology Service (RLA), Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, MI
| | - Roger L Albin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (OM, GGB), W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan; University of Michigan Medical School (NSK, KZY); University of Michigan (SKS); Department of Neurology (SJB, RLA), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and GRECC & Neurology Service (RLA), Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, MI
| | - Cagri G Besirli
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (OM, GGB), W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan; University of Michigan Medical School (NSK, KZY); University of Michigan (SKS); Department of Neurology (SJB, RLA), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and GRECC & Neurology Service (RLA), Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, MI
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25
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Guo M, Schwartz TD, Dunaief JL, Cui QN. Myeloid cells in retinal and brain degeneration. FEBS J 2021; 289:2337-2361. [PMID: 34478598 PMCID: PMC8891394 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Retinal inflammation underlies multiple prevalent ocular and neurological diseases. Similar inflammatory processes are observed in glaucomatous optic neuropathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, posterior uveitis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. In particular, human and animal studies have demonstrated the important role microglia/macrophages play in initiating and maintaining a pro-inflammatory environment in degenerative processes impacting vision. On the other hand, microglia have also been shown to have a protective role in multiple central nervous system diseases. Identifying the mechanisms underlying cell dysfunction and death is the first step toward developing novel therapeutics for these diseases impacting the central nervous system. In addition to reviewing recent key studies defining important mediators of retinal inflammation, with an emphasis on translational studies that bridge this research from bench to bedside, we also highlight a promising therapeutic class of medications, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Finally, we propose areas where additional research is necessary to identify mechanisms that can be modulated to shift the balance from a neurotoxic to a neuroprotective retinal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Turner D Schwartz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joshua L Dunaief
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qi N Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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26
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Past, present and future role of retinal imaging in neurodegenerative disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 83:100938. [PMID: 33460813 PMCID: PMC8280255 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Retinal imaging technology is rapidly advancing and can provide ever-increasing amounts of information about the structure, function and molecular composition of retinal tissue in humans in vivo. Most importantly, this information can be obtained rapidly, non-invasively and in many cases using Food and Drug Administration-approved devices that are commercially available. Technologies such as optical coherence tomography have dramatically changed our understanding of retinal disease and in many cases have significantly improved their clinical management. Since the retina is an extension of the brain and shares a common embryological origin with the central nervous system, there has also been intense interest in leveraging the expanding armamentarium of retinal imaging technology to understand, diagnose and monitor neurological diseases. This is particularly appealing because of the high spatial resolution, relatively low-cost and wide availability of retinal imaging modalities such as fundus photography or OCT compared to brain imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography. The purpose of this article is to review and synthesize current research about retinal imaging in neurodegenerative disease by providing examples from the literature and elaborating on limitations, challenges and future directions. We begin by providing a general background of the most relevant retinal imaging modalities to ensure that the reader has a foundation on which to understand the clinical studies that are subsequently discussed. We then review the application and results of retinal imaging methodologies to several prevalent neurodegenerative diseases where extensive work has been done including sporadic late onset Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease. We also discuss Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease and cerebrovascular small vessel disease, where the application of retinal imaging holds promise but data is currently scarce. Although cerebrovascular disease is not generally considered a neurodegenerative process, it is both a confounder and contributor to neurodegenerative disease processes that requires more attention. Finally, we discuss ongoing efforts to overcome the limitations in the field and unmet clinical and scientific needs.
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27
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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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28
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Chalkias E, Topouzis F, Tegos T, Tsolaki M. The Contribution of Ocular Biomarkers in the Differential Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease versus Other Types of Dementia and Future Prospects. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 80:493-504. [PMID: 33554918 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201516] [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: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
With dementia becoming increasingly prevalent, there is a pressing need to become better equipped with accurate diagnostic tools that will favorably influence its course via prompt and specific intervention. The overlap in clinical manifestation, imaging, and even pathological findings between different dementia syndromes is one of the most prominent challenges today even for expert physicians. Since cerebral microvasculature and the retina share common characteristics, the idea of identifying potential ocular biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis is not a novel one. Initial efforts included studying less quantifiable parameters such as aspects of visual function, extraocular movements, and funduscopic findings. However, the really exciting prospect of a non-invasive, safe, fast, reproducible, and quantifiable method of pinpointing novel biomarkers has emerged with the advent of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and, more recently, OCT angiography (OCTA). The possibility of analyzing multiple parameters of retinal as well as retinal microvasculature variables in vivo represents a promising opportunity to investigate whether specific findings can be linked to certain subtypes of dementia and aid in their earlier diagnosis. The existing literature on the contribution of the eye in characterizing dementia, with a special interest in OCT and OCTA parameters will be reviewed and compared, and we will explicitly focus our effort in advancing our understanding and knowledge of relevant biomarkers to facilitate future research in the differential diagnosis between Alzheimer's disease and common forms of cognitive impairment, including vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymios Chalkias
- A' Ophthalmology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Fotis Topouzis
- A' Ophthalmology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomas Tegos
- 1st Neurology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Magda Tsolaki
- 1st Neurology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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29
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Kaur M, Lane PM, Menon C. Scanning and Actuation Techniques for Cantilever-Based Fiber Optic Endoscopic Scanners-A Review. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21010251. [PMID: 33401728 PMCID: PMC7795415 DOI: 10.3390/s21010251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Endoscopes are used routinely in modern medicine for in-vivo imaging of luminal organs. Technical advances in the micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and optical fields have enabled the further miniaturization of endoscopes, resulting in the ability to image previously inaccessible small-caliber luminal organs, enabling the early detection of lesions and other abnormalities in these tissues. The development of scanning fiber endoscopes supports the fabrication of small cantilever-based imaging devices without compromising the image resolution. The size of an endoscope is highly dependent on the actuation and scanning method used to illuminate the target image area. Different actuation methods used in the design of small-sized cantilever-based endoscopes are reviewed in this paper along with their working principles, advantages and disadvantages, generated scanning patterns, and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandeep Kaur
- MENRVA Research Group, Schools of Mechatronic Systems Engineering and Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, B.C. V3T 0A3, Canada;
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6, Canada;
- Imaging Unit, Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Pierre M. Lane
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6, Canada;
- Imaging Unit, Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Carlo Menon
- MENRVA Research Group, Schools of Mechatronic Systems Engineering and Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, B.C. V3T 0A3, Canada;
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6, Canada;
- Correspondence:
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30
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Galvin JE, Kleiman MJ, Walker M. Using Optical Coherence Tomography to Screen for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 84:723-736. [PMID: 34569948 PMCID: PMC10731579 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Screening for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could increase case identification, enhance clinical trial enrollment, and enable early intervention. MCI and ADRD screening would be most beneficial if detection measures reflect neurodegenerative changes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) could be a marker of neurodegeneration (part of the amyloid-tau-neurodegeneration (ATN) framework). OBJECTIVE To determine whether OCT measurements can be used as a screening measure to detect individuals with MCI and ADRD. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 136 participants with comprehensive clinical, cognitive, functional, and behavioral evaluations including OCT with a subset (n = 76) completing volumetric MRI. Pearson correlation coefficients tested strength of association between OCT and outcome measures. Receiver operator characteristic curves assessed the ability of OCT, patient-reported outcomes, and cognitive performance measures to discriminate between individuals with and without cognitive impairment. RESULTS After controlling for age, of the 6 OCT measurements collected, granular cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL) thickness best correlated with memory, global cognitive performance, Clinical Dementia Rating, and hippocampal atrophy. GCL + IPL thickness provided good discrimination in cognitive status with a cut-off score of 75μm. Combining GCL + IPL thickness as a proxy marker for hippocampal atrophy with a brief patient-reported outcome and performance measure correctly classified 87%of MCI and ADRD participants. CONCLUSION Multimodal approaches may improve recognition of MCI and ADRD. OCT has the potential to be a practical, non-invasive biomarker for ADRD providing a screening platform to quickly identify at-risk individuals for further clinical evaluation or research enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E. Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Michael J. Kleiman
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Marcia Walker
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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31
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Endoscopic Optical Imaging Technologies and Devices for Medical Purposes: State of the Art. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10196865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The growth and development of optical components and, in particular, the miniaturization of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMSs), has motivated and enabled researchers to design smaller and smaller endoscopes. The overarching goal of this work has been to image smaller previously inaccessible luminal organs in real time, at high resolution, in a minimally invasive manner that does not compromise the comfort of the subject, nor introduce additional risk. Thus, an initial diagnosis can be made, or a small precancerous lesion may be detected, in a small-diameter luminal organ that would not have otherwise been possible. Continuous advancement in the field has enabled a wide range of optical scanners. Different scanning techniques, working principles, and the applications of endoscopic scanners are summarized in this review.
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32
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Rojas P, Ramírez AI, Fernández-Albarral JA, López-Cuenca I, Salobrar-García E, Cadena M, Elvira-Hurtado L, Salazar JJ, de Hoz R, Ramírez JM. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Neurodegenerative Motor Neuron Disease With Ocular Involvement. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:566858. [PMID: 33071739 PMCID: PMC7544921 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.566858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes degeneration of the lower and upper motor neurons and is the most prevalent motor neuron disease. This disease is characterized by muscle weakness, stiffness, and hyperreflexia. Patients survive for a short period from the onset of the disease. Most cases are sporadic, with only 10% of the cases being genetic. Many genes are now known to be involved in familial ALS cases, including some of the sporadic cases. It has also been observed that, in addition to genetic factors, there are numerous molecular mechanisms involved in these pathologies, such as excitotoxicity, mitochondrial disorders, alterations in axonal transport, oxidative stress, accumulation of misfolded proteins, and neuroinflammation. This pathology affects the motor neurons, the spinal cord, the cerebellum, and the brain, but recently, it has been shown that it also affects the visual system. This impact occurs not only at the level of the oculomotor system but also at the retinal level, which is why the retina is being proposed as a possible biomarker of this pathology. The current review discusses the main aspects mentioned above related to ALS, such as the main genes involved, the most important molecular mechanisms that affect this pathology, its ocular involvement, and the possible usefulness of the retina as a biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Rojas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto Oftálmico de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,OFTARED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Inmunología Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A Fernández-Albarral
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés López-Cuenca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Salobrar-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,OFTARED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Inmunología Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Cadena
- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto Oftálmico de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorena Elvira-Hurtado
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,OFTARED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Inmunología Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,OFTARED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Inmunología Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,OFTARED, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Inmunología Oftalmología y ORL, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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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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34
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Sun JQ, McGeehan B, Firn K, Irwin D, Grossman M, Ying GS, Kim BJ. Comparison of the Iowa Reference Algorithm to the Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography segmentation algorithm. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2020; 13:e201960187. [PMID: 32057191 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201960187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
For spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) studies of neurodegeneration, it is important to understand how segmentation algorithms differ in retinal layer thickness measurements, segmentation error locations and the impact of manual correction. Using macular SD-OCT images of frontotemporal degeneration patients and controls, we compare the individual and aggregate retinal layer thickness measurements provided by two commonly used algorithms, the Iowa Reference Algorithm and Heidelberg Spectralis, with manual correction of significant segmentation errors. We demonstrate small differences of most retinal layer thickness measurements between these algorithms. Outer sectors of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid require a greater percent of eyes to be corrected than inner sectors of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). Manual corrections affect thickness measurements mildly, resulting in at most a 5% change in RNFL thickness. Our findings can inform researchers how to best use different segmentation algorithms when comparing retinal layer thicknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Q Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brendan McGeehan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kim Firn
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Irwin
- Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Murray Grossman
- Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gui-Shuang Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Benjamin J Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Chougule PS, Najjar RP, Finkelstein MT, Kandiah N, Milea D. Light-Induced Pupillary Responses in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurol 2019; 10:360. [PMID: 31031692 PMCID: PMC6473037 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD) on the pupillary light response (PLR) is controversial, being dependent on the stage of the disease and on the experimental pupillometric protocols. The main hypothesis driving pupillometry research in AD is based on the concept that the AD-related neurodegeneration affects both the parasympathetic and the sympathetic arms of the PLR (cholinergic and noradrenergic theory), combined with additional alterations of the afferent limb, involving the melanopsin expressing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs), subserving the PLR. Only a few studies have evaluated the value of pupillometry as a potential biomarker in AD, providing various results compatible with parasympathetic dysfunction, displaying increased latency of pupillary constriction to light, decreased constriction amplitude, faster redilation after light offset, decreased maximum velocity of constriction (MCV) and maximum constriction acceleration (MCA) compared to controls. Decreased MCV and MCA appeared to be the most accurate of all PLR parameters allowing differentiation between AD and healthy controls while increased post-illumination pupillary response was the most consistent feature, however, these results could not be replicated by more recent studies, focusing on early and pre-clinical stages of the disease. Whether static or dynamic pupillometry yields useful biomarkers for AD screening or diagnosis remains unclear. In this review, we synopsize the current knowledge on pupillometric features in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, and discuss potential roles of pupillometry in AD detection, diagnosis and monitoring, alone or in combination with additional biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik S Chougule
- Department of Visual Neurosciences, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Raymond P Najjar
- Department of Visual Neurosciences, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,The Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences ACP, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maxwell T Finkelstein
- Department of Visual Neurosciences, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nagaendran Kandiah
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dan Milea
- Department of Visual Neurosciences, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,The Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences ACP, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
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36
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Kim BJ, Grossman M, Song D, Saludades S, Pan W, Dominguez-Perez S, Dunaief JL, Aleman TS, Ying GS, Irwin DJ. Persistent and Progressive Outer Retina Thinning in Frontotemporal Degeneration. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:298. [PMID: 31019447 PMCID: PMC6459211 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While Alzheimer's disease is associated with inner retina thinning measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), our previous cross-sectional study suggested outer retina thinning in frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) patients compared to controls without neurodegenerative disease; we sought to evaluate longitudinal changes of this potential biomarker. METHODS SD-OCT retinal layer thicknesses were measured at baseline and after 1-2 years. Clinical criteria, genetic analysis, and a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker (total tau: β-amyloid) to exclude likely underlying Alzheimer's disease pathology were used to define a subgroup of predicted molecular pathology (i.e., tauopathy). Retinal layer thicknesses and rates of change in all FTD patients (n = 16 patients, 30 eyes) and the tauopathy subgroup (n = 9 patients,16 eyes) were compared to controls (n = 30 controls, 47 eyes) using a generalized linear model accounting for inter-eye correlation and adjusting for age, sex, and race. Correlations between retinal layer thicknesses and Mini-Mental State Examinations (MMSE) were assessed. RESULTS Compared to controls, returning FTD patients (143 vs. 130 μm, p = 0.005) and the tauopathy subgroup (143 vs. 128 μm, p = 0.03) had thinner outer retinas but similar inner layer thicknesses. Compared to controls, the outer retina thinning rate was not significant for all FTD patients (p = 0.34), but was significant for the tauopathy subgroup (-3.9 vs. 0.4 μm/year, p = 0.03). Outer retina thickness change correlated with MMSE change in FTD patients (Spearman rho = 0.60, p = 0.02) and the tauopathy subgroup (rho = 0.73, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION Our finding of FTD outer retina thinning persists and longitudinally correlates with disease progression. These findings were especially seen in probable tauopathy patients, which showed progressive outer retina thinning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Delu Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Samantha Saludades
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wei Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sophia Dominguez-Perez
- Department of Neurology, Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Joshua L. Dunaief
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tomas S. Aleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Gui-Shuang Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - David J. Irwin
- Department of Neurology, Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Inanc Tekin M, Sekeroglu MA, Demirtas C, Tekin K, Doguizi S, Bayraktar S, Yilmazbas P. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Its Correlation With Retinal Layer Thicknesses. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:2833-2840. [PMID: 30025135 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To determine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in serum and aqueous humor (AH) and to assess the relationship between BDNF levels and retinal layer thicknesses in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods A total of 48 AMD patients (AMD group) that was composed of twenty-three nonexudative and 25 exudative patients and 26 control subjects (control group) were included in the study. Serum and AH BDNF levels were assessed by ELISA method. Retinal layer thicknesses were calculated by segmentation analysis of optical coherence tomography. Results The mean BDNF levels in AH were found to be significantly lower in both the nonexudative and exudative AMD groups than in the control group (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). Optical coherence tomography segmentation analysis revealed that the total average retina pigment epithelium thickness was statistically significantly thinner in the nonexudative AMD group compared with the exudative AMD and control groups (P = 0.001 and P = 0.040, respectively). The total average outer nuclear layer (ONL) thicknesses of nonexudative and exudative AMD cases were reduced compared to control group; however, the decrement was statistically significant only in the nonexudative AMD group (P = 0.009). In the correlation analysis of BDNF levels with retinal layer thicknesses, statistically significant correlations exist between BDNF levels of AH with ONL thicknesses in cases of AMD and with retina pigment epithelium thicknesses in the nonexudative AMD group. Conclusions BDNF concentrations in AH decreased in the AMD group and this decrease correlates with outer retinal layer thicknesses. Low BDNF levels detected in the AMD group may be insufficient to protect the photoreceptors, resulting in thinning of ONL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Canan Demirtas
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kemal Tekin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kars State Hospital, Kars, Turkey
| | - Sibel Doguizi
- Ankara Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Serdar Bayraktar
- Ankara Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Pelin Yilmazbas
- Ankara Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
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Harrison IF, Whitaker R, Bertelli PM, O’Callaghan JM, Csincsik L, Bocchetta M, Ma D, Fisher A, Ahmed Z, Murray TK, O’Neill MJ, Rohrer JD, Lythgoe MF, Lengyel I. Optic nerve thinning and neurosensory retinal degeneration in the rTg4510 mouse model of frontotemporal dementia. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:4. [PMID: 30616676 PMCID: PMC6322294 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0654-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual impairments, such as difficulties in reading and finding objects, perceiving depth and structure from motion, and impaired stereopsis, have been reported in tauopathy disorders, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These impairments however have been previously attributed to cortical pathologies rather than changes in the neurosensory retina or the optic nerve. Here, we examined tau pathology in the neurosensory retina of the rTg(tauP301L)4510 mouse model of FTD. Optic nerve pathology in mice was also assessed using MRI, and corresponding measurements taken in a cohort of five FTD sufferers and five healthy controls. rTg(tauP301L)4510 mice were imaged (T2-weighted MRI) prior to being terminally anesthetized and eyes and brains removed for immunohistochemical and histological analysis. Central and peripheral retinal labelling of tau and phosphorylated tau (pTau) was quantified and retinal layer thicknesses and cell numbers assessed. MR volumetric changes of specific brain regions and the optic nerve were compared to tau accumulation and cell loss in the visual pathway. In addition, the optic nerves of a cohort of healthy controls and behavioural variant FTD patients, were segmented from T1- and T2-weighted images for volumetric study. Accumulation of tau and pTau were observed in both the central and peripheral retinal ganglion cell (RGC), inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers of the neurosensory retina of rTg(tauP301L)4510 mice. This pathology was associated with reduced nuclear density (− 24.9 ± 3.4%) of the central RGC layer, and a reduced volume (− 19.3 ± 4.6%) and elevated T2 signal (+ 27.1 ± 1.8%) in the optic nerve of the transgenic mice. Significant atrophy of the cortex (containing the visual cortex) was observed but not in other area associated with visual processing, e.g. the lateral geniculate nucleus or superior colliculus. Atrophic changes in optic nerve volume were similarly observed in FTD patients (− 36.6 ± 2.6%). The association between tau-induced changes in the neurosensory retina and reduced optic nerve volume in mice, combined with the observation of optic nerve atrophy in clinical FTD suggests that ophthalmic tau pathology may also exist in the eyes of FTD patients. If tau pathology and neurodegeneration in the retina were to reflect the degree of cortical tau burden, then cost-effective and non-invasive imaging of the neurosensory retina could provide valuable biomarkers in tauopathy. Further work should aim to validate whether these observations are fully translatable to a clinical scenario, which would recommend follow-up retinal and optic nerve examination in FTD.
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Cerquera-Jaramillo MA, Nava-Mesa MO, González-Reyes RE, Tellez-Conti C, de-la-Torre A. Visual Features in Alzheimer's Disease: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Overview. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:2941783. [PMID: 30405709 PMCID: PMC6204169 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2941783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. It compromises patients' daily activities owing to progressive cognitive deterioration, which has elevated direct and indirect costs. Although AD has several risk factors, aging is considered the most important. Unfortunately, clinical diagnosis is usually performed at an advanced disease stage when dementia is established, making implementation of successful therapeutic interventions difficult. Current biomarkers tend to be expensive, insufficient, or invasive, raising the need for novel, improved tools aimed at early disease detection. AD is characterized by brain atrophy due to neuronal and synaptic loss, extracellular amyloid plaques composed of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ), and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The visual system and central nervous system share many functional components. Thus, it is plausible that damage induced by Aβ, tau, and neuroinflammation may be observed in visual components such as the retina, even at an early disease stage. This underscores the importance of implementing ophthalmological examinations, less invasive and expensive than other biomarkers, as useful measures to assess disease progression and severity in individuals with or at risk of AD. Here, we review functional and morphological changes of the retina and visual pathway in AD from pathophysiological and clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mauricio O. Nava-Mesa
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Rodrigo E. González-Reyes
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Tellez-Conti
- Escuela Superior de Oftalmología-Instituto Barraquer de América, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Caravaggio F, Scifo E, Sibille EL, Hernandez-Da Mota SE, Gerretsen P, Remington G, Graff-Guerrero A. Expression of dopamine D2 and D3 receptors in the human retina revealed by positron emission tomography and targeted mass spectrometry. Exp Eye Res 2018; 175:32-41. [PMID: 29883636 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) are expressed in the human retina and play an important role in the modulation of neural responses to light-adaptation. However, it is unknown whether dopamine D3 receptors (D3R) are expressed in the human retina. Using positron emission tomography (PET), we have observed significant uptake of the D3R-preferring agonist radiotracer [11C]-(+)-PHNO into the retina of humans in vivo. This led us to examine whether [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding in the retina was quantifiable using reference tissue methods and if D3R are expressed in human post-mortem retinal tissue. [11C]-(+)-PHNO data from 49 healthy controls (mean age: 39.96 ± 14.36; 16 female) and 12 antipsychotic-naïve patients with schizophrenia (mean age: 25.75 ± 6.25; 4 female) were analyzed. We observed no differences in [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding in the retina between first-episode, drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Post-mortem retinal tissues from four healthy persons (mean age: 59.75 ± 9.11; 2 female) and four patients with schizophrenia (mean age: 54 ± 17.11; 2 female) were analyzed using a targeted mass spectrometry technique: parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis. Using targeted mass spectrometry, we confirmed that D3R are expressed in human retinal tissue ex vivo. Notably, there was far greater expression of D2R relative to D3R in the healthy human retina (∼12:1). Moreover, PRM analysis revealed reduced D2R, but not D3R, expression in the retinas of non-first episode patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. We confirm that D3R are expressed in the human retina. Future studies are needed to determine what proportion of the [11C]-(+)-PHNO signal in the human retina in vivo is due to binding to D3R versus D2R. Knowledge that both D2R and D3R are expressed in the human retina, and potentially quantifiable in vivo using [11C]-(+)-PHNO, poses new research avenues for better understanding the role of retinal dopamine in human vision. This work may have important implications for elucidating pathophysiological and antipsychotic induced visual deficits in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Caravaggio
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada.
| | - Enzo Scifo
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada; Molecular and Cellular Cognition Lab, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases(DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Etienne L Sibille
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | | | - Philip Gerretsen
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Gary Remington
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Ariel Graff-Guerrero
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada
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