Premium
O3‐13‐02: CHARACTERIZING DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF RETINAL VESSELS IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Author(s) -
Golzan Mojtaba,
Orr Carolyn,
Savage Greg,
Graham Stuart
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2014.04.342
Subject(s) - retinal , medicine , ophthalmology , nerve fiber layer , pulse pressure , intraocular pressure , blood pressure , cardiology , endothelial dysfunction
brain, which is more accessible for imaging. We describe an eye test for early detection of AD, utilizing Curcumin fluorescence imaging to highlight Ab aggregates in the retina. This report presents results from analysis of the retinal amyloid test and Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB)-PET imaging from AD, MCI and HC participants in the AIBL research cohort at the McCusker Alzheimer’s Research Foundation in Perth, Australia. Methods: The trial involves two visits by volunteers for retinal fluorescence imaging. Between appointments, volunteers take a proprietary Curcumin supplement. Curcumin binds to Ab with high affinity and has fluorescence properties that enable Ab plaques to be imaged in the retina. Quantitative analysis of Ab plaque number, area (mm 2) and distribution is performed from retinal images to create retinal amyloid index (RAI). Blood testing is utilised to determine Curcumin uptake. Results: Preliminary results (n1⁄440) indicate that RAI is highly correlated with brain plaque burden from PET scans (R1⁄40.762, p<0.0001), supporting the hypothesis of hallmark AD pathology in the retina and providing the basis of an ocular screening test for AD. The retinal amyloid test could also differentiate between AD and non-AD with 100% sensitivity and 80.6% specificity. The full study (n1⁄4200) is expected to be completed in mid-2014.Conclusions: The retinal amyloid test is a potential initial screen that could compliment currently used brain PET, MRI and clinical psychometric tests, and could potentially be delivered as part of regular eye checks. Micrometer-level imaging resolution could also allow accurate monitoring of individual retinal plaques within AD therapeutic trials.