Certain changes in the retina may lead to the future development of Alzheimer’s in subjects without cognitive changes

A study by researchers from the San Carlos Clinical Hospital and Complutense University in Madrid reviewed the relationship between the retina, certain areas of the brain, and the onset of Alzheimer’s. study, published in Alzheimer’s research and therapy30 participants without a family history of sporadic AD (HF-) and non-carriers of ApoE 4 (ApoE 4-), as a control group, and 34 participants with a family history of sporadic AD (HF+) were included. At least one allele 4 (APOE 4+).

of retinal layers and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (PRNFL) thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) with brain area parameters measured by MRI (MRI) in participants at high genetic risk of developing AD (FH + APOE 4+). Correlation between macular volume.

The authors reported a significant amount of reduction in (i) macular RNFL (mRNFL), (ii) inner plexiform layer (IPL), (iii) some macular regions of the nuclear layer inner (INL) in the FH+ APOE 4+ group compared to the control group. inspect. ) and (iv) outer plexiform layer (OPL). Furthermore, in the FH+ ApoE 4+ group, retinal sectors that showed a statistically significant reduction in volume correlated with brain regions known to be affected in the early stages of AD. In the same group, the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) did not show a statistically significant change in its thickness compared to the control group. However, associations of these regions with brain regions involved in the disease were also found.

For all these reasons, they conclude that, in cognitively healthy participants with a higher genetic risk of developing sporadic forms of AD, there are significant links between retinal changes and brain regions closely related to AD, such as the entorhinal Cortex, lingual gyrus and hippocampus.