Open AccessAge‐related retinal thickness in Down's syndrome: A high‐risk population for dementia
Author(s) -
Walpert Madeleine J.,
Normando Eduardo M.,
Annus Tiina,
Jennings Sally R.,
Wilson Liam R.,
Watson Peter,
Zaman Shahid H.,
Cordeiro M. Francesca,
Holland Anthony J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: diagnosis, assessment and disease monitoring
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.497
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2352-8729
DOI - 10.1016/j.dadm.2019.08.007
Subject(s) - retinal , dementia , medicine , ophthalmology , nerve fibre layer , cognitive decline , retina , optical coherence tomography , disease , audiology , neuroscience , psychology
People with Down's syndrome (DS) have a high prevalence of early‐onset Alzheimer's disease. Early markers of Alzheimer's disease pathology identifiable before clinical change are needed for the evaluation of preventative treatments. The retina, an extension of the brain, may provide a noninvasive imaging site. Methods Forty‐nine adults with DS and 36 age‐matched controls completed retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) assessments using optical coherence tomography. RNFL thickness was analyzed in relation to cognitive status and age and previously acquired cortical thickness and cerebral amyloid β binding data in a subgroup. Results RNFL thickness was greater in the DS group and did not show age‐related thinning. RNFL correlated positively with cognitive scores and cortical thickness and was reduced in participants with positive cerebral amyloid β binding. Discussion Increased RNFL in adults with DS may represent early Alzheimer's disease–related changes. Thinning was present in those with cerebral amyloid β binding, independent of age.