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. 2024 Oct 1;65(12):2.
doi: 10.1167/iovs.65.12.2.

Longitudinal Assessment of Retinal Microvasculature in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease

Katie R Curro  1   2 , Ruth M A van Nispen  1   2 , Anouk den Braber  3 , Elsmarieke M van de Giessen  4 , Jacoba A van de Kreeke  1 , H Stevie Tan  1 , Pieter-Jelle Visser  3 , Femke H Bouwman  3 , Frank D Verbraak  1
Affiliations

Longitudinal Assessment of Retinal Microvasculature in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease

Katie R Curro et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. .

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate if changes in vessel density (VD) and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) occur in the preclinical phase of Alzheimer's disease (pAD) over time.

Methods: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to image VD and FAZ at baseline and for a follow-up period of 2 years. Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to determine the amyloid beta (Aβ) status of participants.

Results: The VD and FAZ of 148 participants (54% female) were analyzed at baseline and follow-up (mean time between measurements, 2.24 ± 0.35 years). The mean age of the participants was 68.3 ± 6.0 years at baseline and 70.3 ± 5.9 years at follow-up. Participants were divided into three groups: control group, participants who had negative Aβ status at both measurements (Aβ-, n = 116); converter group, participants who transitioned from negative to positive between baseline and follow-up (Aβ-+, n = 18); and participants who were consistently positive at both visits (Aβ++, n = 14). The VD of both Aβ+ groups demonstrated non-significant increases over time in both macula and optic nerve head (ONH) regions. The Aβ- group was found to be significantly higher in both ONH and macular regions. The VD of the Aβ++ group was significantly higher in the macula inner and outer rings compared to the Aβ-+ and Aβ- groups. No significant change was found in FAZ values over time.

Conclusions: Alterations in VD seem to manifest already in pAD, exhibiting distinct variations between the ONH and macula. Further longitudinal studies with a longer follow-up design and known amyloid pathology should be undertaken to validate these observations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: K.R Curro, Optina Diagnostics (F); R.M.A van Nispen, Janssen-Cilag NV (C); A. den Braber, None; E.M van de Giessen, None; J.A. van de Kreeke, None; H.S. Tan, None; P.-J. Visser, None; F.H. Bouwman, Optos (F), Optina Diagnostics (F), Roche (C), Biogen (C); F.D. Verbraak, None

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
ETDRS 6 × 6-mm grid placed over the ONH and macula.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Changes in VD of the ONH between baseline and follow-up.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Changes in VD of the macular inner ring between baseline and follow-up.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Changes in VD of the macular outer ring between baseline and follow-up.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Changes in FAZ values between baseline and follow-up.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Scatterplots of baseline versus follow-up measurements for ONH VD, macular inner and outer VD, and FAZ.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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