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De Guia IL, Eslick S, Naismith SL, Kanduri S, Shah TM, Martins RN. The Crosstalk Between Amyloid-β, Retina, and Sleep for the Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2024; 8:1009-1021. [PMID: 39114553 PMCID: PMC11305848 DOI: 10.3233/adr-230150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, which is characterised by progressive memory loss and accumulation of hallmark markers amyloid-β (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles in the diseased brain. The current gold standard diagnostic methods have limitations of being invasive, costly, and not easily accessible. Thus, there is a need for new avenues, such as imaging the retina for early AD diagnosis. Sleep disruption is symptomatically frequent across preclinical and AD subjects. As circadian activity, such as the sleep-wake cycle, is linked to the retina, analysis of their association may be useful additions for achieving predictive AD diagnosis. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of human retina studies concerning the deposition of Aβ, the role of the retina in sleep-wake cycle, the disruption of sleep in AD, and to gather evidence for the associations between Aβ, the retina, and sleep. Understanding the mechanisms behind the associations between Aβ, retina, and sleep could assist in the interpretation of retinal changes accurately in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shaun Eslick
- Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon L. Naismith
- Faculty of Science, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Ralph N. Martins
- Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Edith Cowen University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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Xie J, Yi Q, Wu Y, Zheng Y, Liu Y, Macerollo A, Fu H, Xu Y, Zhang J, Behera A, Fan C, Frangi AF, Liu J, Lu Q, Qi H, Zhao Y. Deep segmentation of OCTA for evaluation and association of changes of retinal microvasculature with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Br J Ophthalmol 2024; 108:432-439. [PMID: 36596660 PMCID: PMC10894818 DOI: 10.1136/bjo-2022-321399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) enables fast and non-invasive high-resolution imaging of retinal microvasculature and is suggested as a potential tool in the early detection of retinal microvascular changes in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We developed a standardised OCTA analysis framework and compared their extracted parameters among controls and AD/mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a cross-section study. METHODS We defined and extracted geometrical parameters of retinal microvasculature at different retinal layers and in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) from segmented OCTA images obtained using well-validated state-of-the-art deep learning models. We studied these parameters in 158 subjects (62 healthy control, 55 AD and 41 MCI) using logistic regression to determine their potential in predicting the status of our subjects. RESULTS In the AD group, there was a significant decrease in vessel area and length densities in the inner vascular complexes (IVC) compared with controls. The number of vascular bifurcations in AD is also significantly lower than that of healthy people. The MCI group demonstrated a decrease in vascular area, length densities, vascular fractal dimension and the number of bifurcations in both the superficial vascular complexes (SVC) and the IVC compared with controls. A larger vascular tortuosity in the IVC, and a larger roundness of FAZ in the SVC, can also be observed in MCI compared with controls. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the applicability of OCTA for the diagnosis of AD and MCI, and provides a standard tool for future clinical service and research. Biomarkers from retinal OCTA images can provide useful information for clinical decision-making and diagnosis of AD and MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyang Xie
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Quanyong Yi
- Ningbo Eye Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yufei Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yalin Zheng
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Yonghuai Liu
- Department of Computer Science, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
| | - Antonella Macerollo
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Huazhu Fu
- Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Yanwu Xu
- Intelligent Healthcare Unit, Baidu Inc, Beijing, Haidian, China
| | - Jiong Zhang
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ardhendu Behera
- Department of Computer Science, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
| | - Chenlei Fan
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | | | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qinkang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hong Qi
- Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian, Beijing, China
| | - Yitian Zhao
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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Sáez ME, García-Sánchez A, de Rojas I, Alarcón-Martín E, Martínez J, Cano A, García-González P, Puerta R, Olivé C, Capdevila M, García-Gutiérrez F, Castilla-Martí M, Castilla-Martí L, Espinosa A, Alegret M, Ricciardi M, Pytel V, Valero S, Tárraga L, Boada M, Ruiz A, Marquié M. Genome-wide association study and polygenic risk scores of retinal thickness across the cognitive continuum: data from the NORFACE cohort. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:38. [PMID: 38365752 PMCID: PMC10870444 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01398-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have reported a relationship between retinal thickness and dementia. Therefore, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been proposed as an early diagnosis method for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) aimed at identifying genes associated with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness assessed by OCT and exploring the relationships between the spectrum of cognitive decline (including AD and non-AD cases) and retinal thickness. METHODS RNFL and GCIPL thickness at the macula were determined using two different OCT devices (Triton and Maestro). These determinations were tested for association with common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) using adjusted linear regression models and combined using meta-analysis methods. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for retinal thickness and AD were generated. RESULTS Several genetic loci affecting retinal thickness were identified across the genome in accordance with previous reports. The genetic overlap between retinal thickness and dementia, however, was weak and limited to the GCIPL layer; only those observable with all-type dementia cases were considered. CONCLUSIONS Our study does not support the existence of a genetic link between dementia and retinal thickness.
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Grants
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- Intramural Funding ACE alzheimer Center Barcelona
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- PI19/00335, PI17/01474, AC17/00100, PI19/01301, PI22/01403, PMP22/00022 Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
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Affiliation(s)
- María Eugenia Sáez
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro Andaluz de Estudios Bioinformáticos (CAEBI), Seville, Spain
| | - Ainhoa García-Sánchez
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Itziar de Rojas
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Alarcón-Martín
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Martínez
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amanda Cano
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo García-González
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Puerta
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clàudia Olivé
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Capdevila
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Miguel Castilla-Martí
- Clínica Oftalmológica Dr. Castilla, Barcelona, Spain
- Vista Alpina Eye Clinic, Visp, Switzerland
| | - Luis Castilla-Martí
- PhD Programme in Surgery and Morphological Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Fondation asiles des aveugles, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ana Espinosa
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat Alegret
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Ricciardi
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vanesa Pytel
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Valero
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lluís Tárraga
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercè Boada
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Ruiz
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
| | - Marta Marquié
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Li R, Zheng F, Xu P, Lv L, Mu Y, Zhuang X, Chen S. Correlation of mild cognitive impairment with the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer and serum indicators in type 2 diabetic patients. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1299206. [PMID: 38260156 PMCID: PMC10801021 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1299206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cognitive Impairment arising from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has garnered significant attention in recent times. However, there are few studies on the identification and diagnosis of markers of cognitive impairment. Notably, alterations in the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer's (RNFL) thickness can potentially serve as an indicative measure of central nervous system changes. Further investigations have indicated that the decline in cognitive function within T2DM patients is intricately linked to persistent systemic inflammation and the accumulation of advanced glycosylation end products. Comprehensive studies are warranted to unveil these complex associations. Objective This study aims to explore the potential of utilizing the RNFL thickness and serological concentrations of IL-18, irisin, CML, and RAGE as diagnostic indicators for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) among individuals with T2DM. Methods The thickness of RNFL were determined in all patients and controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The serum levels of IL-18, irisin, CML and RAGE were detected by ELISA kit. In addition, Cognitive assessment was performed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive assessment (MoCA). Results The average RNFL thickness in the right eye were decreased in T2DM and T2DM combined with MCI (T2DM-MCI) patients and were positively correlated with MoCA and MMSE scores. The serum levels of IL-18, CML and RAGE in T2DM and T2DM-MCI increased significantly (p<0.05) and were negative correlated with MoCA and MMSE scores. The level of irisin in T2DM and T2DM-MCI decreased significantly (p<0.05) and were positively correlated with MoCA and MMSE scores. The area under the ROC curve of T2DM-MCI predicted by the average RNFL thickness in the right eye, CML and RAGE were 0.853, 0.874 and 0.815. The diagnostic efficacy of the combination of average RNFL thickness in the right eye, CML, and RAGE for the diagnosis of T2DM-MCI was 0.969. Conclusion The average RNFL thickness in the right eye, CML and RAGE have possible diagnostic value in T2DM-MCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xianghua Zhuang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Multidisciplinary Innovation Center for Nephrology of the Second Hospital of Shandong University, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Ji’nan, Shandong, China
| | - Shihong Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Multidisciplinary Innovation Center for Nephrology of the Second Hospital of Shandong University, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Ji’nan, Shandong, China
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Donato L, Mordà D, Scimone C, Alibrandi S, D’Angelo R, Sidoti A. Bridging Retinal and Cerebral Neurodegeneration: A Focus on Crosslinks between Alzheimer-Perusini's Disease and Retinal Dystrophies. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3258. [PMID: 38137479 PMCID: PMC10741418 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the early stages of Alzheimer-Perusini's disease (AD), individuals often experience vision-related issues such as color vision impairment, reduced contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity problems. As the disease progresses, there is a connection with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leading to retinal cell death. The retina's involvement suggests a link with the hippocampus, where most AD forms start. A thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) due to the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is seen as a potential AD diagnostic marker using electroretinography (ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Amyloid beta fragments (Aβ), found in the eye's vitreous and aqueous humor, are also present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and accumulate in the retina. Aβ is known to cause tau hyperphosphorylation, leading to its buildup in various retinal layers. However, diseases like AD are now seen as mixed proteinopathies, with deposits of the prion protein (PrP) and α-synuclein found in affected brains and retinas. Glial cells, especially microglial cells, play a crucial role in these diseases, maintaining immunoproteostasis. Studies have shown similarities between retinal and brain microglia in terms of transcription factor expression and morphotypes. All these findings constitute a good start to achieving better comprehension of neurodegeneration in both the eye and the brain. New insights will be able to bring the scientific community closer to specific disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Donato
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Domenico Mordà
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Concetta Scimone
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Simona Alibrandi
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Rosalia D’Angelo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
| | - Antonina Sidoti
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
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Abd Elmonem HA, Morsi RM, Mansour DS, El-Sayed ESR. Myco-fabricated ZnO nanoparticles ameliorate neurotoxicity in mice model of Alzheimer's disease via acetylcholinesterase inhibition and oxidative stress reduction. Biometals 2023; 36:1391-1404. [PMID: 37556014 PMCID: PMC10684416 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00525-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the primary health problems linked to the decrease of acetylcholine in cholinergic neurons and elevation in oxidative stress. Myco-fabrication of ZnO-NPs revealed excellent biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potentials. This study aims to determine if two distinct doses of myco-fabricated ZnO-NPs have a positive impact on behavioral impairment and several biochemical markers associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in mice that have been treated by aluminum chloride (AlCl3) to induce AD. Sixty male mice were haphazardly separated into equally six groups. Group 1 was injected i.p. with 0.5 ml of deionized water daily during the experiment. Mice in group 2 received AlCl3 (50 mg/kg/day i.p.). Groups 3 and 4 were treated i.p. with 5 and 10 mg/kg/day of ZnO-NPs only, respectively. Groups 5 and 6 were given i.p. 5 and 10 mg/kg/day ZnO-NPs, respectively, add to 50 mg/kg/day AlCl3. Results showed that the AlCl3 caused an increase in the escape latency time and a reduction in the time spent in the target quadrant, indicating a decreased improvement in learning and memory. Moreover, acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels were significantly increased, and the content of glutathione (GSH), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as levels of serotonin and dopamine, were decreased in brain tissues only in AlCl3 treated mice. However, treatment of mice with myco-fabrication of ZnO-NPs at doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg improves learning and memory function through ameliorate all the previous parameters in the AD mice group. The low dose of 5 mg/kg is more effective than a high dose of 10 mg/kg. In accordance with these findings, myco-fabricated ZnO-NPs could enhance memory and exhibit a protective influence against memory loss caused by AlCl3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan A Abd Elmonem
- Biological Applications Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham M Morsi
- Biological Applications Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doaa S Mansour
- Biological Applications Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
| | - El-Sayed R El-Sayed
- Plant Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt.
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Ibrahim Y, Xie J, Macerollo A, Sardone R, Shen Y, Romano V, Zheng Y. A Systematic Review on Retinal Biomarkers to Diagnose Dementia from OCT/OCTA Images. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:1201-1235. [PMID: 38025800 PMCID: PMC10657718 DOI: 10.3233/adr-230042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Traditional methods for diagnosing dementia are costly, time-consuming, and somewhat invasive. Since the retina shares significant anatomical similarities with the brain, retinal abnormalities detected via optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have been studied as a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool for neurodegenerative disorders; however, the most effective retinal changes remain a mystery to be unraveled in this review. Objective This study aims to explore the relationship between retinal abnormalities in OCT/OCTA images and cognitive decline as well as evaluating biomarkers' effectiveness in detecting neurodegenerative diseases. Methods A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until December 2022, resulted in 64 papers using agreed search keywords, and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results The superior peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) is a trustworthy biomarker to identify most Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases; however, it is inefficient when dealing with mild AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The global pRNFL (pRNFL-G) is another reliable biomarker to discriminate frontotemporal dementia from mild AD and healthy controls (HCs), moderate AD and MCI from HCs, as well as identifing pathological Aβ42/tau in cognitively healthy individuals. Conversely, pRNFL-G fails to realize mild AD and the progression of AD. The average pRNFL thickness variation is considered a viable biomarker to monitor the progression of AD. Finally, the superior and average pRNFL thicknesses are considered consistent for advanced AD but not for early/mild AD. Conclusions Retinal changes may indicate dementia, but further research is needed to confirm the most effective biomarkers for early and mild AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehia Ibrahim
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jianyang Xie
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Antonella Macerollo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rodolfo Sardone
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Statistics and Epidemiology Unit, Local Healthcare Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Yaochun Shen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Vito Romano
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Yalin Zheng
- Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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Zuhair V, Rangwala HS, Mughal ZUN, Fatima H, Shaikh AT, Mussarat A. Viewing the Brain Through Retina: A New Avenue for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. Ann Neurosci 2023; 30:219-221. [PMID: 38020399 PMCID: PMC10662277 DOI: 10.1177/09727531231190992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Varisha Zuhair
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Hareer Fatima
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Abdullah Mussarat
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
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Wolf A, Tripanpitak K, Umeda S, Otake-Matsuura M. Eye-tracking paradigms for the assessment of mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1197567. [PMID: 37546488 PMCID: PMC10399700 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1197567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), representing the 'transitional zone' between normal cognition and dementia, has become a novel topic in clinical research. Although early detection is crucial, it remains logistically challenging at the same time. While traditional pen-and-paper tests require in-depth training to ensure standardized administration and accurate interpretation of findings, significant technological advancements are leading to the development of procedures for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and facilitating the diagnostic process. Some of the diagnostic protocols, however, show significant limitations that hamper their widespread adoption. Concerns about the social and economic implications of the increasing incidence of AD underline the need for reliable, non-invasive, cost-effective, and timely cognitive scoring methodologies. For instance, modern clinical studies report significant oculomotor impairments among patients with MCI, who perform poorly in visual paired-comparison tasks by ascribing less attentional resources to novel stimuli. To accelerate the Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025, this work provides an overview of research on saccadic and exploratory eye-movement deficits among older adults with MCI. The review protocol was drafted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2022 that examined visual processing in older adults with MCI and reported gaze parameters as potential biomarkers. Moreover, following the contemporary trend for remote healthcare technologies, we reviewed studies that implemented non-commercial eye-tracking instrumentation in order to detect information processing impairments among the MCI population. Based on the gathered literature, eye-tracking-based paradigms may ameliorate the screening limitations of traditional cognitive assessments and contribute to early AD detection. However, in order to translate the findings pertaining to abnormal gaze behavior into clinical applications, it is imperative to conduct longitudinal investigations in both laboratory-based and ecologically valid settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Wolf
- Cognitive Behavioral Assistive Technology (CBAT), Goal-Oriented Technology Group, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kornkanok Tripanpitak
- Cognitive Behavioral Assistive Technology (CBAT), Goal-Oriented Technology Group, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Umeda
- Department of Psychology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mihoko Otake-Matsuura
- Cognitive Behavioral Assistive Technology (CBAT), Goal-Oriented Technology Group, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Luengnaruemitchai G, Kaewmahanin W, Munthuli A, Phienphanich P, Puangarom S, Sangchocanonta S, Jariyakosol S, Hirunwiwatkul P, Tantibundhit C. Alzheimer's Together with Mild Cognitive Impairment Screening Using Polar Transformation of Middle Zone of Fundus Images Based Deep Learning. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083188 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) are considered an increasing major health problem in elderlies. However, current clinical methods of Alzheimer's detection are expensive and difficult to access, making the detection inconvenient and unsuitable for developing countries such as Thailand. Thus, we developed a method of AD together with MCI screening by fine-tuning a pre-trained Densely Connected Convolutional Network (DenseNet-121) model using the middle zone of polar transformed fundus image. The polar transformation in the middle zone of the fundus is a key factor helping the model to extract features more effectively and that enhances the model accuracy. The dataset was divided into 2 groups: normal and abnormal (AD and MCI). This method can classify between normal and abnormal patients with 96% accuracy, 99% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 95% precision, and 97% F1 score. Parts of both MCI and AD input images that most impact the classification score visualized by Grad-CAM++ focus in superior and inferior retinal quadrants.Clinical relevance- The parts of both MCI and AD input images that have the most impact the classification score (visualized by Grad-CAM++) are superior and inferior retinal quadrants. Polar transformation of the middle zone of retinal fundus images is a key factor that enhances the classification accuracy.
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11
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Shi XH, Dong L, Zhang RH, Zhou DJ, Ling SG, Shao L, Yan YN, Wang YX, Wei WB. Relationships between quantitative retinal microvascular characteristics and cognitive function based on automated artificial intelligence measurements. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1174984. [PMID: 37416799 PMCID: PMC10322221 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1174984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between retinal vascular characteristics and cognitive function using artificial intelligence techniques to obtain fully automated quantitative measurements of retinal vascular morphological parameters. Methods: A deep learning-based semantic segmentation network ResNet101-UNet was used to construct a vascular segmentation model for fully automated quantitative measurement of retinal vascular parameters on fundus photographs. Retinal photographs centered on the optic disc of 3107 participants (aged 50-93 years) from the Beijing Eye Study 2011, a population-based cross-sectional study, were analyzed. The main parameters included the retinal vascular branching angle, vascular fractal dimension, vascular diameter, vascular tortuosity, and vascular density. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: The results showed that the mean MMSE score was 26.34 ± 3.64 (median: 27; range: 2-30). Among the participants, 414 (13.3%) were classified as having cognitive impairment (MMSE score < 24), 296 (9.5%) were classified as mild cognitive impairment (MMSE: 19-23), 98 (3.2%) were classified as moderate cognitive impairment (MMSE: 10-18), and 20 (0.6%) were classified as severe cognitive impairment (MMSE < 10). Compared with the normal cognitive function group, the retinal venular average diameter was significantly larger (p = 0.013), and the retinal vascular fractal dimension and vascular density were significantly smaller (both p < 0.001) in the mild cognitive impairment group. The retinal arteriole-to-venular ratio (p = 0.003) and vascular fractal dimension (p = 0.033) were significantly decreased in the severe cognitive impairment group compared to the mild cognitive impairment group. In the multivariate analysis, better cognition (i.e., higher MMSE score) was significantly associated with higher retinal vascular fractal dimension (b = 0.134, p = 0.043) and higher retinal vascular density (b = 0.152, p = 0.023) after adjustment for age, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (logMAR) and education level. Discussion: In conclusion, our findings derived from an artificial intelligence-based fully automated retinal vascular parameter measurement method showed that several retinal vascular morphological parameters were correlated with cognitive impairment. The decrease in retinal vascular fractal dimension and decreased vascular density may serve as candidate biomarkers for early identification of cognitive impairment. The observed reduction in the retinal arteriole-to-venular ratio occurs in the late stages of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Han Shi
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intraocular Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Medical Artificial Intelligence Research and Verification Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Dong
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intraocular Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Medical Artificial Intelligence Research and Verification Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Heng Zhang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intraocular Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Medical Artificial Intelligence Research and Verification Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Deng Ji Zhou
- EVision Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | | | - Lei Shao
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intraocular Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Medical Artificial Intelligence Research and Verification Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Ni Yan
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intraocular Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Medical Artificial Intelligence Research and Verification Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ya Xing Wang
- Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Bin Wei
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intraocular Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Medical Artificial Intelligence Research and Verification Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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12
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Latina V, Atlante A, Malerba F, La Regina F, Balzamino BO, Micera A, Pignataro A, Stigliano E, Cavallaro S, Calissano P, Amadoro G. The Cleavage-Specific Tau 12A12mAb Exerts an Anti-Amyloidogenic Action by Modulating the Endocytic and Bioenergetic Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119683. [PMID: 37298634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Beyond deficits in hippocampal-dependent episodic memory, Alzheimer's Disease (AD) features sensory impairment in visual cognition consistent with extensive neuropathology in the retina. 12A12 is a monoclonal cleavage specific antibody (mAb) that in vivo selectively neutralizes the AD-relevant, harmful N-terminal 20-22 kDa tau fragment(s) (i.e., NH2htau) without affecting the full-length normal protein. When systemically injected into the Tg2576 mouse model overexpressing a mutant form of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), APPK670/671L linked to early onset familial AD, this conformation-specific tau mAb successfully reduces the NH2htau accumulating both in their brain and retina and, thus, markedly alleviates the phenotype-associated signs. By means of a combined biochemical and metabolic experimental approach, we report that 12A12mAb downregulates the steady state expression levels of APP and Beta-Secretase 1 (BACE-1) and, thus, limits the Amyloid beta (Aβ) production both in the hippocampus and retina from this AD animal model. The local, antibody-mediated anti-amyloidogenic action is paralleled in vivo by coordinated modulation of the endocytic (BIN1, RIN3) and bioenergetic (glycolysis and L-Lactate) pathways. These findings indicate for the first time that similar molecular and metabolic retino-cerebral pathways are modulated in a coordinated fashion in response to 12A12mAb treatment to tackle the neurosensorial Aβ accumulation in AD neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Atlante
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), National Research Council (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Malerba
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bijorn Omar Balzamino
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Annabella Pignataro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Stigliano
- Area of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), Via P. Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
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13
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Ashraf G, McGuinness M, Khan MA, Obtinalla C, Hadoux X, van Wijngaarden P. Retinal imaging biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies using brain amyloid beta status for case definition. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12421. [PMID: 37250908 PMCID: PMC10210353 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Introduction We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between retinal imaging parameters and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were systematically searched for prospective and observational studies. Included studies had AD case definition based on brain amyloid beta (Aβ) status. Study quality assessment was performed. Random-effects meta-analyses of standardized mean difference, correlation, and diagnostic accuracy were conducted. Results Thirty-eight studies were included. There was weak evidence of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thinning on optical coherence tomography (OCT) (p = 0.14, 11 studies, n = 828), increased foveal avascular zone area on OCT-angiography (p = 0.18, four studies, n = 207), and reduced arteriole and venule vessel fractal dimension on fundus photography (p < 0.001 and p = 0.08, respectively, three studies, n = 297) among AD cases. Discussion Retinal imaging parameters appear to be associated with AD. Small study sizes and heterogeneity in imaging methods and reporting make it difficult to determine utility of these changes as AD biomarkers. Highlights We performed a systematic review on retinal imaging and Alzheimer's disease (AD).We only included studies in which cases were based on brain amyloid beta status.Several retinal biomarkers were associated with AD but clinical utility is uncertain.Studies should focus on biomarker-defined AD and use standardized imaging methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Ashraf
- Centre for Eye Research AustraliaRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- OphthalmologyDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Myra McGuinness
- Centre for Eye Research AustraliaRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Centre for Epidemiology and BiostatisticsMelbourne School of Population and Global HealthUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Muhammad Azaan Khan
- Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Czarina Obtinalla
- Discipline of OrthopticsSchool of Allied HealthHuman Services & SportCollege of ScienceHealth & EngineeringLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Xavier Hadoux
- Centre for Eye Research AustraliaRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Peter van Wijngaarden
- Centre for Eye Research AustraliaRoyal Victorian Eye and Ear HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- OphthalmologyDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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14
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Sensi SL, Russo M, Tiraboschi P. Biomarkers of diagnosis, prognosis, pathogenesis, response to therapy: Convergence or divergence? Lessons from Alzheimer's disease and synucleinopathies. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 192:187-218. [PMID: 36796942 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-85538-9.00015-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common disorder associated with cognitive impairment. Recent observations emphasize the pathogenic role of multiple factors inside and outside the central nervous system, supporting the notion that AD is a syndrome of many etiologies rather than a "heterogeneous" but ultimately unifying disease entity. Moreover, the defining pathology of amyloid and tau coexists with many others, such as α-synuclein, TDP-43, and others, as a rule, not an exception. Thus, an effort to shift our AD paradigm as an amyloidopathy must be reconsidered. Along with amyloid accumulation in its insoluble state, β-amyloid is becoming depleted in its soluble, normal states, as a result of biological, toxic, and infectious triggers, requiring a shift from convergence to divergence in our approach to neurodegeneration. These aspects are reflected-in vivo-by biomarkers, which have become increasingly strategic in dementia. Similarly, synucleinopathies are primarily characterized by abnormal deposition of misfolded α-synuclein in neurons and glial cells and, in the process, depleting the levels of the normal, soluble α-synuclein that the brain needs for many physiological functions. The soluble to insoluble conversion also affects other normal brain proteins, such as TDP-43 and tau, accumulating in their insoluble states in both AD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The two diseases have been distinguished by the differential burden and distribution of insoluble proteins, with neocortical phosphorylated tau deposition more typical of AD and neocortical α-synuclein deposition peculiar to DLB. We propose a reappraisal of the diagnostic approach to cognitive impairment from convergence (based on clinicopathologic criteria) to divergence (based on what differs across individuals affected) as a necessary step for the launch of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; Molecular Neurology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST and ITAB Institute for Advanced Biotechnology, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Mirella Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; Molecular Neurology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST and ITAB Institute for Advanced Biotechnology, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Pietro Tiraboschi
- Division of Neurology V-Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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15
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Latina V, De Introna M, Caligiuri C, Loviglio A, Florio R, La Regina F, Pignataro A, Ammassari-Teule M, Calissano P, Amadoro G. Immunotherapy with Cleavage-Specific 12A12mAb Reduces the Tau Cleavage in Visual Cortex and Improves Visuo-Spatial Recognition Memory in Tg2576 AD Mouse Model. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020509. [PMID: 36839831 PMCID: PMC9965010 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau-targeted immunotherapy is a promising approach for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Beyond cognitive decline, AD features visual deficits consistent with the manifestation of Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the eyes and higher visual centers, both in animal models and affected subjects. We reported that 12A12-a monoclonal cleavage-specific antibody (mAb) which in vivo neutralizes the neurotoxic, N-terminal 20-22 kDa tau fragment(s)-significantly reduces the retinal accumulation in Tg(HuAPP695Swe)2576 mice of both tau and APP/Aβ pathologies correlated with local inflammation and synaptic deterioration. Here, we report the occurrence of N-terminal tau cleavage in the primary visual cortex (V1 area) and the beneficial effect of 12A12mAb treatment on phenotype-associated visuo-spatial deficits in this AD animal model. We found out that non-invasive administration of 12 A12mAb markedly reduced the pathological accumulation of both truncated tau and Aβ in the V1 area, correlated to significant improvement in visual recognition memory performance along with local increase in two direct readouts of cortical synaptic plasticity, including the dendritic spine density and the expression level of activity-regulated cytoskeleton protein Arc/Arg3.1. Translation of these findings to clinical therapeutic interventions could offer an innovative tau-directed opportunity to delay or halt the visual impairments occurring during AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita De Introna
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Caligiuri
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Loviglio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Annabella Pignataro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Martine Ammassari-Teule
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ercole Ramarini 32, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-49255252
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16
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Marquié M, García-Sánchez A, Alarcón-Martín E, Martínez J, Castilla-Martí M, Castilla-Martí L, Orellana A, Montrreal L, de Rojas I, García-González P, Puerta R, Olivé C, Cano A, Hernández I, Rosende-Roca M, Vargas L, Tartari JP, Esteban-De Antonio E, Bojaryn U, Ricciardi M, Ariton DM, Pytel V, Alegret M, Ortega G, Espinosa A, Pérez-Cordón A, Sanabria Á, Muñoz N, Lleonart N, Aguilera N, Tárraga L, Valero S, Ruiz A, Boada M. Macular vessel density in the superficial plexus is not associated to cerebrospinal fluid core biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in individuals with mild cognitive impairment: The NORFACE cohort. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1076177. [PMID: 36908784 PMCID: PMC9995931 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1076177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is a novel method in the dementia field that allows the detection of retinal vascular changes. The comparison of OCT-A measures with established Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related biomarkers is essential to validate the former as a marker of cerebrovascular impairment in the AD continuum. We aimed to investigate the association of macular vessel density (VD) in the superficial plexus quantified by OCT-A with the AT(N) classification based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ1-42, p181-tau and t-tau measurements in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Materials and methods Clinical, demographic, ophthalmological, OCT-A and CSF core biomarkers for AD data from the Neuro-ophthalmology Research at Fundació ACE (NORFACE) project were analyzed. Differences in macular VD in four quadrants (superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal) among three AT(N) groups [Normal, Alzheimer and Suspected non-Alzheimer pathology (SNAP)] were assessed in a multivariate regression model, adjusted for age, APOE ε4 status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and smoking habit, using the Normal AT(N) group as the reference category. Results The study cohort comprised 144 MCI participants: 66 Normal AT(N), 45 Alzheimer AT(N) and 33 SNAP AT(N). Regression analysis showed no significant association of the AT(N) groups with any of the regional macular VD measures (all, p > 0.16). The interaction between sex and AT(N) groups had no effect on differentiating VD. Lastly, CSF Aβ1-42, p181-tau and t-tau measures were not correlated to VD (all r < 0.13; p > 0.13). Discussion Our study showed that macular VD measures were not associated with the AT(N) classification based on CSF biomarkers in patients with MCI, and did not differ between AD and other underlying causes of cognitive decline in our cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Marquié
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ainhoa García-Sánchez
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emilio Alarcón-Martín
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Martínez
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Castilla-Martí
- Clínica Oftalmológica Dr. Castilla, Barcelona, Spain.,Vista Alpina Eye Clinic, Visp, Switzerland
| | - Luis Castilla-Martí
- Ph.D. Programme in Surgery and Morphological Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Adelina Orellana
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Montrreal
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Itziar de Rojas
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo García-González
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Puerta
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clàudia Olivé
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amanda Cano
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Hernández
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maitée Rosende-Roca
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Liliana Vargas
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Pablo Tartari
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Urszula Bojaryn
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mario Ricciardi
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diana M Ariton
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vanesa Pytel
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Alegret
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gemma Ortega
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Espinosa
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Pérez-Cordón
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ángela Sanabria
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nathalia Muñoz
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Lleonart
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Aguilera
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Tárraga
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergi Valero
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Ruiz
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercè Boada
- Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Patil AD, Biousse V, Newman NJ. Artificial intelligence in ophthalmology: an insight into neurodegenerative disease. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2022; 33:432-439. [PMID: 35819902 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000000877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aging world population accounts for the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's which carry a significant health and economic burden. There is therefore a need for sensitive and specific noninvasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring. Advances in retinal and optic nerve multimodal imaging as well as the development of artificial intelligence deep learning systems (AI-DLS) have heralded a number of promising advances of which ophthalmologists are at the forefront. RECENT FINDINGS The association among retinal vascular, nerve fiber layer, and macular findings in neurodegenerative disease is well established. In order to optimize the use of these ophthalmic parameters as biomarkers, validated AI-DLS are required to ensure clinical efficacy and reliability. Varied image acquisition methods and protocols as well as variability in neurogenerative disease diagnosis compromise the robustness of ground truths that are paramount to developing high-quality training datasets. SUMMARY In order to produce effective AI-DLS for the diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative disease, multicenter international collaboration is required to prospectively produce large inclusive datasets, acquired through standardized methods and protocols. With a uniform approach, the efficacy of resultant clinical applications will be maximized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nancy J Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology
- Department of Neurology
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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18
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Corbin D, Lesage F. Assessment of the predictive potential of cognitive scores from retinal images and retinal fundus metadata via deep learning using the CLSA database. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5767. [PMID: 35388080 PMCID: PMC8986784 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09719-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain and cognitive decline are considered hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing from previous studies that these two factors can manifest in the retina, the aim was to investigate whether a deep learning method was able to predict the cognition of an individual from a RGB image of his retina and metadata. A deep learning model, EfficientNet, was used to predict cognitive scores from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) database. The proposed model explained 22.4% of the variance in cognitive scores on the test dataset using fundus images and metadata. Metadata alone proved to be more effective in explaining the variance in the sample (20.4%) versus fundus images (9.3%) alone. Attention maps highlighted the optic nerve head as the most influential feature in predicting cognitive scores. The results demonstrate that RGB fundus images are limited in predicting cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Corbin
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie optique et Moléculaire, Polytechnique Montréal, 2500 Chemin de Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Frédéric Lesage
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie optique et Moléculaire, Polytechnique Montréal, 2500 Chemin de Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.,Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, 5000 Rue Bélanger, Montreal, QC, H1T 1C8, Canada
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19
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Soloperto A, Quaglio D, Baiocco P, Romeo I, Mori M, Ardini M, Presutti C, Sannino I, Ghirga S, Iazzetti A, Ippoliti R, Ruocco G, Botta B, Ghirga F, Di Angelantonio S, Boffi A. Rational design and synthesis of a novel BODIPY-based probe for selective imaging of tau tangles in human iPSC-derived cortical neurons. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5257. [PMID: 35347170 PMCID: PMC8960764 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09016-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between the number of neurofibrillary tangles of the tau protein and Alzheimer's disease progression, making the quantitative detection of tau very promising from a clinical point of view. However, the lack of highly reliable fluorescent probes for selective imaging of tau neurofibrillary tangles is a major challenge due to sharing similar β–sheet motifs with homologous Amyloid-β fibrils. In the current work, we describe the rational design and the in silico evaluation of a small-size focused library of fluorescent probes, consisting of a BODIPY core (electron acceptor) featuring highly conjugated systems (electron donor) with a length in the range 13–19 Å at C3. Among the most promising probes in terms of binding mode, theoretical affinity and polarity, BT1 has been synthesized and tested in vitro onto human induced pluripotent stem cells derived neuronal cell cultures. The probe showed excellent photophysical properties and high selectivity allowing in vitro imaging of hyperphosphorylated tau protein filaments with minimal background noise. Our findings offer new insight into the structure-activity relationship of this class of tau selective fluorophores, paving the way for boosting tau tangle detection in patients possibly through retinal spectral scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Soloperto
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Baiocco
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Romeo
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Matteo Ardini
- Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Caterina Presutti
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Ida Sannino
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Ghirga
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Iazzetti
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alberto Boffi
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
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20
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Liu J, Baum L, Yu S, Lin Y, Xiong G, Chang RCC, So KF, Chiu K. Preservation of Retinal Function Through Synaptic Stabilization in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mouse Retina by Lycium Barbarum Extracts. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:788798. [PMID: 35095474 PMCID: PMC8792986 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.788798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyloid β deposition-induced hippocampal synaptic dysfunction generally begins prior to neuronal degeneration and memory impairment. Lycium barbarum extracts (LBE) have been demonstrated to be neuroprotective in various animal models of neurodegeneration. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of LBE on the synapse loss in AD through the avenue of the retina in a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD). We fed 3xTg-AD mice with low (200 mg/kg) or high (2 g/kg) dose hydrophilic LBE daily for 2 months from the starting age of 4- or 6-month-old. For those started at 6 month age, at 1 month (though not 2 months) after starting treatment, mice given high dose LBE showed a significant increase of a wave and b wave in scotopic ERG. After 2 months of treatment with high dose LBE, calpain-2, calpain-5, and the oxidative RNA marker 8-OHG were downregulated, and presynaptic densities in the inner plexiform layer but not the outer plexiform layer of the retina were significantly increased, suggesting the presynaptic structure of retina was preserved. Our results indicate that LBE feeding may preserve synapse stability in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice, probably by decreasing both oxidative stress and intracellular calcium influx. Thus, LBE might have potential as a neuroprotectant for AD through synapse preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Larry Baum
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shasha Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Nankai University Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Youhong Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guoying Xiong
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kwok Fai So
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Kwok Fai So
| | - Kin Chiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Kin Chiu
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21
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Differential Accumulation of Misfolded Prion Strains in Natural Hosts of Prion Diseases. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122453. [PMID: 34960722 PMCID: PMC8706046 DOI: 10.3390/v13122453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are a group of neurodegenerative protein misfolding diseases that invariably cause death. TSEs occur when the endogenous cellular prion protein (PrPC) misfolds to form the pathological prion protein (PrPSc), which templates further conversion of PrPC to PrPSc, accumulates, and initiates a cascade of pathologic processes in cells and tissues. Different strains of prion disease within a species are thought to arise from the differential misfolding of the prion protein and have different clinical phenotypes. Different strains of prion disease may also result in differential accumulation of PrPSc in brain regions and tissues of natural hosts. Here, we review differential accumulation that occurs in the retinal ganglion cells, cerebellar cortex and white matter, and plexuses of the enteric nervous system in cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, sheep and goats with scrapie, cervids with chronic wasting disease, and humans with prion diseases. By characterizing TSEs in their natural host, we can better understand the pathogenesis of different prion strains. This information is valuable in the pursuit of evaluating and discovering potential biomarkers and therapeutics for prion diseases.
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22
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Leitgeb R, Placzek F, Rank E, Krainz L, Haindl R, Li Q, Liu M, Andreana M, Unterhuber A, Schmoll T, Drexler W. Enhanced medical diagnosis for dOCTors: a perspective of optical coherence tomography. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2021; 26:JBO-210150-PER. [PMID: 34672145 PMCID: PMC8528212 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.26.10.100601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE After three decades, more than 75,000 publications, tens of companies being involved in its commercialization, and a global market perspective of about USD 1.5 billion in 2023, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become one of the fastest successfully translated imaging techniques with substantial clinical and economic impacts and acceptance. AIM Our perspective focuses on disruptive forward-looking innovations and key technologies to further boost OCT performance and therefore enable significantly enhanced medical diagnosis. APPROACH A comprehensive review of state-of-the-art accomplishments in OCT has been performed. RESULTS The most disruptive future OCT innovations include imaging resolution and speed (single-beam raster scanning versus parallelization) improvement, new implementations for dual modality or even multimodality systems, and using endogenous or exogenous contrast in these hybrid OCT systems targeting molecular and metabolic imaging. Aside from OCT angiography, no other functional or contrast enhancing OCT extension has accomplished comparable clinical and commercial impacts. Some more recently developed extensions, e.g., optical coherence elastography, dynamic contrast OCT, optoretinography, and artificial intelligence enhanced OCT are also considered with high potential for the future. In addition, OCT miniaturization for portable, compact, handheld, and/or cost-effective capsule-based OCT applications, home-OCT, and self-OCT systems based on micro-optic assemblies or photonic integrated circuits will revolutionize new applications and availability in the near future. Finally, clinical translation of OCT including medical device regulatory challenges will continue to be absolutely essential. CONCLUSIONS With its exquisite non-invasive, micrometer resolution depth sectioning capability, OCT has especially revolutionized ophthalmic diagnosis and hence is the fastest adopted imaging technology in the history of ophthalmology. Nonetheless, OCT has not been completely exploited and has substantial growth potential-in academics as well as in industry. This applies not only to the ophthalmic application field, but also especially to the original motivation of OCT to enable optical biopsy, i.e., the in situ imaging of tissue microstructure with a resolution approaching that of histology but without the need for tissue excision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Leitgeb
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Christian Doppler Laboratory OPTRAMED, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabian Placzek
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabet Rank
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Krainz
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Haindl
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Qian Li
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mengyang Liu
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Andreana
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angelika Unterhuber
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tilman Schmoll
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
- Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, California, United States
| | - Wolfgang Drexler
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Vienna, Austria
- Address all correspondence to Wolfgang Drexler,
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23
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Ge YJ, Xu W, Ou YN, Qu Y, Ma YH, Huang YY, Shen XN, Chen SD, Tan L, Zhao QH, Yu JT. Retinal biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 69:101361. [PMID: 34000463 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinal changes may reflect the pathophysiological processes in the central nervous system and can be assessed by imaging modalities non-invasively. We aim to localize candidate retinal biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and preclinical AD. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to January 2021 for observational studies that investigated retinal imaging and electrophysiological markers in AD, MCI, and preclinical AD. Between-groups standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95 % confidence intervals were computed using random-effects models. RESULTS Of 19,727 citations identified, 126 articles were eligible for inclusion. Compared with healthy controls, the thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL; SMD = -0.723, p < 0.001), total macular (SMD = -0.612, p < 0.001), and subfoveal choroid (SMD = -0.888, p < 0.001) were significantly reduced in patients with AD. Compared with healthy controls, patients with MCI also had lower thickness of pRNFL (SMD = -0.324, p < 0.001), total macular (SMD = -0.302, p < 0.001), and subfoveal choroid (SMD = -0.462, p = 0.020). Other candidate biomarkers included the optic nerve head morphology, retinal amyloid deposition, microvascular morphology and densities, blood flow, and electrophysiological markers. CONCLUSIONS Retinal structural, vascular, and electrophysiological biomarkers hold great potential for the diagnosis, prognosis and risk assessment of AD and MCI. These biomarkers warrant further development in the future, especially in diagnostic test accuracy and longitudinal studies.
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24
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Kim TH, Son T, Klatt D, Yao X. Concurrent OCT and OCT angiography of retinal neurovascular degeneration in the 5XFAD Alzheimer's disease mice. NEUROPHOTONICS 2021; 8:035002. [PMID: 34277888 PMCID: PMC8271351 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.8.3.035002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Significance: As one part of the central nervous system, the retina manifests neurovascular defects in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Quantitative imaging of retinal neurovascular abnormalities may promise a new method for early diagnosis and treatment assessment of AD. Previous imaging studies of transgenic AD mouse models have been limited to the central part of the retina. Given that the pathological hallmarks of AD frequently appear in different peripheral quadrants, a comprehensive regional investigation is needed for a better understanding of the retinal degeneration associated with AD-like pathology. Aim: We aim to demonstrate concurrent optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) of retinal neuronal and vascular abnormalities in the 5XFAD mouse model and to investigate region-specific retinal degeneration. Approach: A custom-built OCT system was used for retinal imaging. Retinal thickness, vessel width, and vessel density were quantitatively measured. The artery and vein (AV) were classified for differential AV analysis, and trilaminar vascular plexuses were segmented for depth-resolved density measurement. Results: It was observed that inner and outer retinal thicknesses were explicitly reduced in the dorsal and temporal quadrants, respectively, in 5XFAD mice. A significant arterial narrowing in 5XFAD mice was also observed. Moreover, overall capillary density consistently showed a decreasing trend in 5XFAD mice, but regional specificity was not identified. Conclusions: Quadrant- and layer-specific neurovascular degeneration was observed in 5XFAD mice. Concurrent OCT and OCTA promise a noninvasive method for quantitative monitoring of AD progression and treatment assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Hoon Kim
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Bioengineering, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Taeyoon Son
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Bioengineering, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Dieter Klatt
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Bioengineering, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Xincheng Yao
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Bioengineering, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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25
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Lee SSY, Lingham G, Alonso-Caneiro D, Charng J, Chen FK, Yazar S, Mackey DA. Macular Thickness Profile and Its Association With Best-Corrected Visual Acuity in Healthy Young Adults. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:8. [PMID: 34003942 PMCID: PMC7961121 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.3.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To describe the thickness profiles of the full retinal and outer retinal layers (ORL) at the macula in healthy young adults, and associations with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Methods In total, 1604 participants (19-30 years) underwent an eye examination that included measurements of their BCVA, axial length, and autorefraction. The retinal thickness at the foveal pit and at the nine Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study macular regions (0.5-mm radius around the fovea, and superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal quadrants of the inner and outer rings of the macula) were obtained using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging. A custom program was used to correct for transverse magnification effects because of different axial lengths. Results The median full retinal and ORL thicknesses at the central macula were 285 µm and 92 µm. The full retina was thinnest centrally and thickest at the inner macula ring, whereas the ORL was thickest centrally and gradually decreased in thickness with increasing eccentricity. There was no association between axial length and the full retinal or ORL thickness. Increased thicknesses of the full retina at the central macula was associated with better BCVA; however, the effect size was small and not clinically significant. Conclusions This article mapped the full retinal and ORL thickness profile in a population-based sample of young healthy adults. Translational Relevance Thickness values presented in this article could be used as a normative reference for future studies on young adults and in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Sze-Yee Lee
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (incorporating the Lions Eye Institute), University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gareth Lingham
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (incorporating the Lions Eye Institute), University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Alonso-Caneiro
- Queensland University of Technology, Contact Lens and Visual Optics Laboratory, Centre for Vision and Eye Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jason Charng
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (incorporating the Lions Eye Institute), University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Fred Kuanfu Chen
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (incorporating the Lions Eye Institute), University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia.,Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Seyhan Yazar
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (incorporating the Lions Eye Institute), University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia.,Single Cell and Computational Genomics Lab, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Anthony Mackey
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (incorporating the Lions Eye Institute), University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
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26
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Jiang H, Wang J, Levin BE, Baumel BS, Camargo CJ, Signorile JF, Rundek T. Retinal Microvascular Alterations as the Biomarkers for Alzheimer Disease: Are We There Yet? J Neuroophthalmol 2021; 41:251-260. [PMID: 33136677 PMCID: PMC8079547 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000001140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer disease (AD) is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder with an insidious onset and slowly progressive disease course. To date, there are no effective treatments, but biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression offer a promising first step in developing and testing potential interventions. Cerebral vascular imaging biomarkers to assess the contributions of vascular dysfunction to AD are strongly recommended to be integrated into the current amyloid-β (Aβ) [A], tau [T], and neurodegeneration [(N)]-the "AT(N)" biomarker system for clinical research. However, the methodology is expensive and often requires invasive procedures to document cerebral vascular dysfunction. The retina has been used as a surrogate to study cerebral vascular changes. There is growing interest in the identification of retinal microvascular changes as a safe, easily accessible, low cost, and time-efficient approach to enhancing our understanding of the vascular pathogenesis associated with AD. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A systemic review of the literature was performed regarding retinal vascular changes in AD and its prodromal stages, focusing on functional and structural changes of large retinal vessels (vessels visible on fundus photographs) and microvasculature (precapillary arterioles, capillary, and postcapillary venules) that are invisible on fundus photographs. RESULTS Static and dynamic retinal microvascular alterations such as retinal arterial wall motion, blood flow rate, and microvascular network density were reported in AD, mild cognitive impairment, and even in the preclinical stages of the disease. The data are somewhat controversial and inconsistent among the articles reviewed and were obtained based on cross-sectional studies that used different patient cohorts, equipment, techniques, and analysis methods. CONCLUSIONS Retinal microvascular alterations exist across the AD spectrum. Further large scale, within-subject longitudinal studies using standardized imaging and analytical methods may advance our knowledge concerning vascular contributions to the pathogenesis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bonnie E. Levin
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bernard S. Baumel
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Christian J. Camargo
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Tania Rundek
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Fereshetian S, Agranat JS, Siegel N, Ness S, Stein TD, Subramanian ML. Protein and Imaging Biomarkers in the Eye for Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:375-387. [PMID: 34189409 PMCID: PMC8203283 DOI: 10.3233/adr-210283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia worldwide. Although no formal curative therapy exists for the treatment of AD, considerable research has been performed to identify biomarkers for early detection of this disease, and thus improved subsequent management. Given that the eye can be examined and imaged non-invasively with relative ease, it has emerged as an exciting area of research for evidence of biomarkers and to aid in the early diagnosis of AD. This review explores the current understanding of both protein and retinal imaging biomarkers in the eye. Herein, primary findings in the literature regarding AD biomarkers associated with the lens, retina, and other ocular structures are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaunt Fereshetian
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua S. Agranat
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Siegel
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven Ness
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D. Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Manju L. Subramanian
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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28
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Latina V, Giacovazzo G, Cordella F, Balzamino BO, Micera A, Varano M, Marchetti C, Malerba F, Florio R, Ercole BB, La Regina F, Atlante A, Coccurello R, Di Angelantonio S, Calissano P, Amadoro G. Systemic delivery of a specific antibody targeting the pathological N-terminal truncated tau peptide reduces retinal degeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:38. [PMID: 33750467 PMCID: PMC7942014 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01138-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Retina and optic nerve are sites of extra-cerebral manifestations of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein are detected in eyes from AD patients and transgenic animals in correlation with inflammation, reduction of synapses, visual deficits, loss of retinal cells and nerve fiber. However, neither the pathological relevance of other post-translational tau modifications-such as truncation with generation of toxic fragments-nor the potential neuroprotective action induced by their in vivo clearance have been investigated in the context of AD retinal degeneration. We have recently developed a monoclonal tau antibody (12A12mAb) which selectively targets the neurotoxic 20-22 kDa NH2-derived peptide generated from pathological truncation at the N-terminal domain of tau without cross-reacting with its full-length normal protein. Previous studies have shown that 12A12mAb, when intravenously (i.v.)-injected into 6-month-old Tg2576 animals, markedly improves their AD-like, behavioural and neuropathological syndrome. By taking advantage of this well-established tau-directed immunization regimen, we found that 12A12mAb administration also exerts a beneficial action on biochemical, morphological and metabolic parameters (i.e. APP/Aβ processing, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, synaptic proteins, microtubule stability, mitochondria-based energy production, neuronal death) associated with ocular injury in the AD phenotype. These findings prospect translational implications in the AD field by: (1) showing for the first time that cleavage of tau takes part in several pathological changes occurring in vivo in affected retinas and vitreous bodies and that its deleterious effects are successfully antagonized by administration of the specific 12A12mAb; (2) shedding further insights on the tight connections between neurosensory retina and brain, in particular following tau-based immunotherapy. In our view, the parallel response we detected in this preclinical animal model, both in the eye and in the hippocampus, following i.v. 12A12mAb injection opens novel diagnostic and therapeutic avenues for the clinical management of cerebral and extracerebral AD signs in human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Giacovazzo
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Cordella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bijorn Omar Balzamino
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Varano
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Marchetti
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Malerba
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Bruni Ercole
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Atlante
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM)-CNR, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Coccurello
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Institute for Complex System (ISC)-CNR, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Pizzarelli R, Pediconi N, Di Angelantonio S. Molecular Imaging of Tau Protein: New Insights and Future Directions. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 13:586169. [PMID: 33384582 PMCID: PMC7769805 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.586169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein (MAPT) that is highly expressed in neurons and implicated in several cellular processes. Tau misfolding and self-aggregation give rise to proteinaceous deposits known as neuro-fibrillary tangles. Tau tangles play a key role in the genesis of a group of diseases commonly referred to as tauopathies; notably, these aggregates start to form decades before any clinical symptoms manifest. Advanced imaging methodologies have clarified important structural and functional aspects of tau and could have a role as diagnostic tools in clinical research. In the present review, recent progresses in tau imaging will be discussed. We will focus mainly on super-resolution imaging methods and the development of near-infrared fluorescent probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Pizzarelli
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Natalia Pediconi
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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30
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Stiebing C, Jahn IJ, Schmitt M, Keijzer N, Kleemann R, Kiliaan AJ, Drexler W, Leitgeb RA, Popp J. Biochemical Characterization of Mouse Retina of an Alzheimer's Disease Model by Raman Spectroscopy. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3301-3308. [PMID: 32991138 PMCID: PMC7581290 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
The presence of biomarkers characteristic
for Alzheimer’s
disease in the retina is a controversial topic. Raman spectroscopy
offers information on the biochemical composition of tissues. Thus,
it could give valuable insight into the diagnostic value of retinal
analysis. Within the present study, retinas of a double transgenic
mouse model, that expresses a chimeric mouse/human amyloid precursor
protein and a mutant form of human presenilin 1, and corresponding
control group were subjected to ex vivo Raman imaging.
The Raman data recorded on cross sections of whole eyes highlight
the layered structure of the retina in a label-free manner. Based
on the Raman information obtained from en face mounted
retina samples, a discrimination between healthy and Alzheimer’s
disease retinal tissue can be done with an accuracy of 85.9%. For
this a partial least squares-linear discriminant analysis was applied.
Therefore, although no macromolecular changes in form of, i.e., amyloid beta plaques, can be noticed based on Raman
spectroscopy, subtle biochemical changes happening in the retina could
lead to Alzheimer’s disease identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Stiebing
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT), a member of the Leibniz Research Alliance Leibniz Health Technology, Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Izabella J. Jahn
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT), a member of the Leibniz Research Alliance Leibniz Health Technology, Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Schmitt
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Nanda Keijzer
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Kleemann
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amanda J. Kiliaan
- Department of Anatomy Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior Preclinical Imaging Center, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 21N, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Drexler
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerguertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer A. Leitgeb
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerguertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Popp
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT), a member of the Leibniz Research Alliance Leibniz Health Technology, Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany
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31
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Retinal Degeneration and Alzheimer's Disease: An Evolving Link. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197290. [PMID: 33023198 PMCID: PMC7582766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma are degenerative conditions of the retina and a significant cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common dementia of the elderly, is often associated with AMD and glaucoma. The cardinal features of AD include extracellular accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) and intracellular deposits of hyper-phosphorylated tau (p-tau). Neuroinflammation and brain iron dyshomeostasis accompany Aβ and p-tau deposits and, together, lead to progressive neuronal death and dementia. The accumulation of Aβ and iron in drusen, the hallmark of AMD, and Aβ and p-tau in retinal ganglion cells (RGC), the main retinal cell type implicated in glaucoma, and accompanying inflammation suggest overlapping pathology. Visual abnormalities are prominent in AD and are believed to develop before cognitive decline. Some are caused by degeneration of the visual cortex, while others are due to RGC loss or AMD-associated retinal degeneration. Here, we review recent information on Aβ, p-tau, chronic inflammation, and iron dyshomeostasis as common pathogenic mechanisms linking the three degenerative conditions, and iron chelation as a common therapeutic option for these disorders. Additionally discussed is the role of prion protein, infamous for prion disorders, in Aβ-mediated toxicity and, paradoxically, in neuroprotection.
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32
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Chibhabha F, Yaqi Y, Li F. Retinal involvement in Alzheimer's disease (AD): evidence and current progress on the non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring of AD-related pathology using the eye. Rev Neurosci 2020; 31:/j/revneuro.ahead-of-print/revneuro-2019-0119/revneuro-2019-0119.xml. [PMID: 32804680 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2019-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common form of age-related dementia that mostly affects the aging population. Clinically, it is a disease characterized by impaired memory and progressive cognitive decline. Although the pathological hallmarks of AD have been traditionally described with a general confinement in the brain, recent studies have shown similar pathological changes in the retina, which is a developmental outgrowth of the forebrain. These AD-related neurodegenerative changes in the retina have been implicated to cause early visual problems in AD even before cognitive impairment becomes apparent. With recent advances in research, the commonly held view that AD-related cerebral pathology causes visual dysfunction through disruption of central visual pathways has been re-examined. Currently, several studies have already explored how AD manifests in the retina and the possibility of using the same retina as a window to non-invasively examine AD-related pathology in the brain. Non-invasive screening of AD through the retina has the potential to improve on early detection and management of the disease since the majority of AD cases are usually diagnosed very late. The purpose of this review is to provide evidence on the involvement of the retina in AD and to suggest a possible direction for future research into the non-invasive screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of AD using the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fidelis Chibhabha
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080,China
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Senga, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080,China
| | - Yang Yaqi
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080,China
- and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080,China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080,China
- and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080,China
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Saccà SC, Paluan F, Gandolfi S, Manni G, Cutolo CA, Izzotti A. Common aspects between glaucoma and brain neurodegeneration. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2020; 786:108323. [PMID: 33339584 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2020.108323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration can be defined as progressive cell damage to nervous system cells, and more specifically to neurons, which involves morphologic alterations and progressive loss of function until cell death. Glaucoma exhibits many aspects of neurodegenerative disease. This review examines the pathogenesis of glaucoma, comparing it with that of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), highlighting their common features. Indeed, in all three diseases there are not only the same types of pathogenic events, but also similarities of temporal cadences that determine neuronal damage. All three age-related illnesses have oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction as the first pathogenic steps. The consequence of these alterations is the death of visual neurons in glaucoma, cognitive neurons in AD and regulatory motor neurons (substantia nigra) in PD. The study of these common pathogenic events (oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein degradation, apoptosis and autophagy) leads us to consider common therapeutic strategies for the treatment and prevention of these diseases. Also, examination of the genetic aspects of the pathways involved in neurodegenerative processes plays a key role in shedding light on the details of pathogenesis and can suggest new treatments. This review discusses the common molecular aspects involved in these three oxidative-stress and age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Filippo Paluan
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa., Italy
| | - Stefano Gandolfi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Biological, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gianluca Manni
- Dept. of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS-Fondazione GB Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Izzotti
- IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Brighi C, Cordella F, Chiriatti L, Soloperto A, Di Angelantonio S. Retinal and Brain Organoids: Bridging the Gap Between in vivo Physiology and in vitro Micro-Physiology for the Study of Alzheimer's Diseases. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:655. [PMID: 32625060 PMCID: PMC7311765 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in tissue engineering has led to increasingly complex approaches to investigate human neurodegenerative diseases in vitro, such as Alzheimer's disease, aiming to provide more functional and physiological models for the study of their pathogenesis, and possibly the identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical and retinal organoids represent a novel class of in vitro three-dimensional models capable to recapitulate with a high similarity the structure and the complexity of the native brain and retinal tissues, thus providing a framework for better mimicking in a dish the patient's disease features. This review aims to discuss progress made over the years in the field of in vitro three-dimensional cell culture systems, and the benefits and disadvantages related to a possible application of organoids for the study of neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease, providing a promising breakthrough toward a personalized medicine approach and the reduction in the use of humanized animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Brighi
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Cordella
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Chiriatti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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35
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Sabbagh MN, Blennow K. Peripheral Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease: Update and Progress. Neurol Ther 2019; 8:33-36. [PMID: 31833022 PMCID: PMC6908528 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-019-00171-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marwan N Sabbagh
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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