Retinal Imaging Detects Biomarkers of Familial Alzheimer's Disease Years Before Symptoms
Key findings
- This cross-sectional study assessed whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) could detect retinal abnormalities in carriers of PSEN1-associated early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) who were cognitively unimpaired
- Compared with noncarriers from the same autosomal dominant AD family, PSEN1 carriers demonstrated thinning of the whole retina, which was most prominent in the inner nuclear, outer plexiform and outer nuclear layers
- Sporadic AD is biologically similar to familial AD, as such, OCT may someday prove useful as a screening tool that would help with early identification and diagnosis of all patients with AD
Subscribe to the latest updates from Neuroscience Advances in Motion
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive tool for evaluating the retina and other tissues of the central nervous system. In several studies, OCT has identified abnormalities of the retina in patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), but these patients were older and already had clinically evident cognitive decline, which are potential confounders.
Yakeel T. Quiroz, PhD, director of the Familial Dementia Neuroimaging Lab and the Multicultural Alzheimer's Prevention Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, John B. Miller, MD, director of Retinal Imaging at Mass Eye and Ear, and colleagues have conducted the first study of OCT in people with the E280A mutation of the PSEN1 gene, by far the most common cause of familial early-onset AD. In JAMA Ophthalmology, they report it was possible to identify unique, early biomarkers of AD prior to the onset of cognitive symptoms.
Study Methods
The ongoing COLBOS (Colombia–Boston) biomarker study follows individuals from the world's largest known kindred with autosomal dominant AD—approximately 5,800 living relatives in Colombia. In this kindred, the estimated median age is 44 at the onset of mild cognitive impairment and 49 at the onset of dementia.
This cross-sectional analysis, conducted between July 13, 2015, and September 16, 2020, included 10 carriers of the PSEN1 E280A mutation and 10 noncarrier family members. The two groups were matched on age (average 36), sex, education and Mini-Mental State Examination score, and all were cognitively unimpaired.
Each participant underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation by a retinal specialist and a positron emission tomography scan of the brain.
Results
Compared with the non-carrier group, the PSEN1 carrier group had thinning of the whole retina, which reached statistical significance in the outer and inner superior quadrants, the outer and inner nasal quadrants and the outer and inner temporal quadrants.
Upon evaluation of individual retinal layers, the PSEN1 carrier group showed statistically significant retinal thinning in the:
- Outer superior and inferior quadrants of the inner nuclear layer
- Outer superior quadrant of the outer plexiform layer
- Central, inner nasal and inner temporal quadrants of the outer nuclear layer
There were no significant differences between groups in retinal vasculature characteristics.
Hope for the Future
Sporadic AD, which accounts for more than 95% of AD cases, is similar to familial AD with regard to abnormalities in brain structure and function, and preclinical biomarkers. OCT may someday prove useful as a screening tool that would help with early identification and diagnosis of all patients with AD, as well as selecting participants who may benefit the most from AD clinical trials.
view original journal article Subscription may be required
Learn more about the Multicultural Alzheimer's Prevention Program
Refer a patient to the Department of Neurology