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Abtahi M, Le D, Ebrahimi B, Dadzie AK, Rahimi M, Hsieh YT, Heiferman MJ, Lim JI, Yao X. Differential Capillary and Large Vessel Analysis Improves OCTA Classification of Diabetic Retinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:20. [PMID: 39133470 PMCID: PMC11323983 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.10.20] [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: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to investigate the impact of distinctive capillary-large vessel (CLV) analysis in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) on the classification performance of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods This multicenter study analyzed 212 OCTA images from 146 patients, including 28 controls, 36 diabetic patients without DR (NoDR), 31 with mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR), 28 with moderate NPDR, and 23 with severe NPDR. Quantitative features were derived from the whole image as well as the parafovea and perifovea regions. A support vector machine classifier was employed for DR classification. The accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were used to evaluate the classification performance, utilizing features derived from the whole image and specific regions, both before and after CLV analysis. Results Differential CLV analysis significantly improved OCTA classification of DR. In binary classifications, accuracy improved by 11.81%, rising from 77.45% to 89.26%, when utilizing whole image features. For multiclass classifications, accuracy increased by 7.55%, from 78.68% to 86.23%. Incorporating features from the whole image, parafovea, and perifovea further improved binary classification accuracy from 83.07% to 93.80%, and multiclass accuracy from 82.64% to 87.92%. Conclusions This study demonstrated that feature changes in capillaries are more sensitive during DR progression, and CLV analysis can significantly improve DR classification performance by extracting features that are specific to large vessels and capillaries in OCTA. Incorporating regional features further improves DR classification accuracy. Differential CLV analysis promises better disease screening, diagnosis, and treatment outcome assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Abtahi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - David Le
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Behrouz Ebrahimi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Albert K. Dadzie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Mojtaba Rahimi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Yi-Ting Hsieh
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Michael J. Heiferman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Jennifer I. Lim
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Xincheng Yao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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2
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Xiong Z, Kwapong WR, Liu S, Chen T, Xu K, Mao H, Hao J, Cao L, Liu J, Zheng Y, Wang H, Yan Y, Ye C, Wu B, Qi H, Zhao Y. Association of Retinal Biomarkers With the Subtypes of Ischemic Stroke and an Automated Classification Model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:50. [PMID: 39083310 PMCID: PMC11290563 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.8.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinal microvascular changes are associated with ischemic stroke, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a potential tool to reveal the retinal microvasculature. We investigated the feasibility of using the OCTA image to automatically identify ischemic stroke and its subtypes (i.e. lacunar and non-lacunar stroke), and exploited the association of retinal biomarkers with the subtypes of ischemic stroke. Methods Two cohorts were included in this study and a total of 1730 eyes from 865 participants were studied. A deep learning model was developed to discriminate the subjects with ischemic stroke from healthy controls and to distinguish the subtypes of ischemic stroke. We also extracted geometric parameters of the retinal microvasculature at different retinal layers to investigate the correlations. Results Superficial vascular plexus (SVP) yielded the highest areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of 0.922 and 0.871 for the ischemic stroke detection and stroke subtypes classification, respectively. For external data validation, our model achieved an AUC of 0.822 and 0.766 for the ischemic stroke detection and stroke subtypes classification, respectively. When parameterizing the OCTA images, we showed individuals with ischemic strokes had increased SVP tortuosity (B = 0.085, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.005-0.166, P = 0.038) and reduced FAZ circularity (B = -0.212, 95% CI = -0.42 to -0.005, P = 0.045); non-lacunar stroke had reduced SVP FAZ circularity (P = 0.027) compared to lacunar stroke. Conclusions Our study demonstrates the applicability of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced OCTA image analysis for ischemic stroke detection and its subtypes classification. Biomarkers from retinal OCTA images can provide useful information for clinical decision-making and diagnosis of ischemic stroke and its subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouwei Xiong
- Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | | | - Shouyue Liu
- Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Keyi Xu
- Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiting Mao
- Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinkui Hao
- Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Le Cao
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yalin Zheng
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Hang Wang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuying Yan
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Chen Ye
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yitian Zhao
- Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
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3
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Courtie E, Kirkpatrick JRM, Taylor M, Faes L, Liu X, Logan A, Veenith T, Denniston AK, Blanch RJ. Optical coherence tomography angiography analysis methods: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9643. [PMID: 38670997 PMCID: PMC11053039 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54306-3] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is widely used for non-invasive retinal vascular imaging, but the OCTA methods used to assess retinal perfusion vary. We evaluated the different methods used to assess retinal perfusion between OCTA studies. MEDLINE and Embase were searched from 2014 to August 2021. We included prospective studies including ≥ 50 participants using OCTA to assess retinal perfusion in either global retinal or systemic disorders. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. Heterogeneity of data was assessed by Q statistics, Chi-square test, and I2 index. Of the 5974 studies identified, 191 studies were included in this evaluation. The selected studies employed seven OCTA devices, six macula volume dimensions, four macula subregions, nine perfusion analyses, and five vessel layer definitions, totalling 197 distinct methods of assessing macula perfusion and over 7000 possible combinations. Meta-analysis was performed on 88 studies reporting vessel density and foveal avascular zone area, showing lower retinal perfusion in patients with diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls, but with high heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was lowest and reported vascular effects strongest in superficial capillary plexus assessments. Systematic review of OCTA studies revealed massive heterogeneity in the methods employed to assess retinal perfusion, supporting calls for standardisation of methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Courtie
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
- Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Matthew Taylor
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Livia Faes
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHSFT, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ann Logan
- Axolotl Consulting Ltd., Droitwich, Worcestershire, UK
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Tonny Veenith
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Critical Care Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Trauma Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alastair K Denniston
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHSFT, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard J Blanch
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
- Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
- Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK.
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Csiszar A, Ungvari A, Patai R, Gulej R, Yabluchanskiy A, Benyo Z, Kovacs I, Sotonyi P, Kirkpartrick AC, Prodan CI, Liotta EM, Zhang XA, Toth P, Tarantini S, Sorond FA, Ungvari Z. Atherosclerotic burden and cerebral small vessel disease: exploring the link through microvascular aging and cerebral microhemorrhages. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01139-7. [PMID: 38639833 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01139-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebral microhemorrhages (CMHs, also known as cerebral microbleeds) are a critical but frequently underestimated aspect of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), bearing substantial clinical consequences. Detectable through sensitive neuroimaging techniques, CMHs reveal an extensive pathological landscape. They are prevalent in the aging population, with multiple CMHs often being observed in a given individual. CMHs are closely associated with accelerated cognitive decline and are increasingly recognized as key contributors to the pathogenesis of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review paper delves into the hypothesis that atherosclerosis, a prevalent age-related large vessel disease, extends its pathological influence into the cerebral microcirculation, thereby contributing to the development and progression of CSVD, with a specific focus on CMHs. We explore the concept of vascular aging as a continuum, bridging macrovascular pathologies like atherosclerosis with microvascular abnormalities characteristic of CSVD. We posit that the same risk factors precipitating accelerated aging in large vessels (i.e., atherogenesis), primarily through oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, similarly instigate accelerated microvascular aging. Accelerated microvascular aging leads to increased microvascular fragility, which in turn predisposes to the formation of CMHs. The presence of hypertension and amyloid pathology further intensifies this process. We comprehensively overview the current body of evidence supporting this interconnected vascular hypothesis. Our review includes an examination of epidemiological data, which provides insights into the prevalence and impact of CMHs in the context of atherosclerosis and CSVD. Furthermore, we explore the shared mechanisms between large vessel aging, atherogenesis, microvascular aging, and CSVD, particularly focusing on how these intertwined processes contribute to the genesis of CMHs. By highlighting the role of vascular aging in the pathophysiology of CMHs, this review seeks to enhance the understanding of CSVD and its links to systemic vascular disorders. Our aim is to provide insights that could inform future therapeutic approaches and research directions in the realm of neurovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Csiszar
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anna Ungvari
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Roland Patai
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Rafal Gulej
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Andriy Yabluchanskiy
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral College/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Benyo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
- Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, HUN-REN, Semmelweis University, 1094, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Illes Kovacs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, 1085, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Peter Sotonyi
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Heart and Vascular Centre, Semmelweis University, 1122, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Angelia C Kirkpartrick
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Calin I Prodan
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Eric M Liotta
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral College/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Neurology, Division of Stroke and Neurocritical Care, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xin A Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Peter Toth
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
- Neurotrauma Research Group, Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
- ELKH-PTE Clinical Neuroscience MR Research Group, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral College/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Farzaneh A Sorond
- Department of Neurology, Division of Stroke and Neurocritical Care, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment, Neurodegeneration and Healthy Brain Aging Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral College/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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5
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Pan R, Ye C, Zhang Z, Kwapong WR, Wang R, Lu K, Liao L, Yan Y, Yang T, Cao L, Jiang S, Zhang X, Liu J, Tao W, Wu B. Distinct alterations of retinal structure between thalamic and extra-thalamic subcortical infarction patients: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14543. [PMID: 38018655 PMCID: PMC11017429 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14543] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cerebrovascular lesions in the primary visual cortex, the lateral geniculate nucleus, and the optic tract have been associated with retinal neurodegeneration via the retrograde degeneration (RD) mechanism. We aimed to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the effects of the strategic single subcortical infarction (SSI) location on retinal neurodegeneration and its longitudinal impacts. METHODS Patients with SSI were enrolled and stratified by lesion location on cerebral MRI into the thalamic infarction group and extra-thalamic infarction group. Healthy controls from the native communities were also recruited. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) were quantified using OCT. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used for cross-sectional analyses and linear mixed models for longitudinal analyses. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS We included a total of 283 eyes from 149 SSI patients. Of these, 115 eyes of 60 patients with follow-up were included in the longitudinal analyses. Cross-sectionally, thalamic-infarction patients had reduced retinal thickness compared with extra-thalamic infarction patients after adjustment for age, gender, disease duration, and vascular risk factors (p = 0.026 for RNFL, and p = 0.026 for GCIPL). Longitudinally, SSI patients showed greater retinal thinning compared with healthy controls over time (p = 0.040 for RNFL, and p < 0.001 for GCIPL), and thalamic infarction patients exhibited faster rates of GCIPL thinning in comparison with extra-thalamic infarction patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates a distinct effect of subcortical infarction lesion site on the retina both at the early stage of disease and at the 1-year follow-up time. These results present evidence of significant associations between strategic infarction locations and retinal neurodegeneration. It may provide novel insights for further research on RD in stroke patients and ultimately facilitate individualized recovery therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruosu Pan
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chen Ye
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Zhimeng Zhang
- West China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | | | - Ruilin Wang
- Department of OphthalmologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lanhua Liao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yuying Yan
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Tang Yang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Le Cao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xuening Zhang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Junfeng Liu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Wendan Tao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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6
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Kellner RL, Harris A, Ciulla L, Guidoboni G, Verticchio Vercellin A, Oddone F, Carnevale C, Zaid M, Antman G, Kuvin JT, Siesky B. The Eye as the Window to the Heart: Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Biomarkers as Indicators of Cardiovascular Disease. J Clin Med 2024; 13:829. [PMID: 38337522 PMCID: PMC10856197 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in microvasculature represent some of the earliest pathological processes across a wide variety of human diseases. In many organs, however, inaccessibility and difficulty in directly imaging tissues prevent the assessment of microvascular changes, thereby significantly limiting their translation into improved patient care. The eye provides a unique solution by allowing for the non-invasive and direct visualization and quantification of many aspects of the human microvasculature, including biomarkers for structure, function, hemodynamics, and metabolism. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) studies have specifically identified reduced capillary densities at the level of the retina in several eye diseases including glaucoma. This narrative review examines the published data related to OCTA-assessed microvasculature biomarkers and major systemic cardiovascular disease. While loss of capillaries is being established in various ocular disease, pilot data suggest that changes in the retinal microvasculature, especially within the macula, may also reflect small vessel damage occurring in other organs resulting from cardiovascular disease. Current evidence suggests retinal microvascular biomarkers as potential indicators of major systemic cardiovascular diseases, including systemic arterial hypertension, atherosclerotic disease, and congestive heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Kellner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
| | - Alon Harris
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
| | - Lauren Ciulla
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
| | - Giovanna Guidoboni
- Maine College of Engineering and Computing, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA;
| | - Alice Verticchio Vercellin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
| | - Francesco Oddone
- Glaucoma Unit, IRCCS—Fondazione Bietti, 00198 Rome, Italy; (F.O.); (C.C.)
| | - Carmela Carnevale
- Glaucoma Unit, IRCCS—Fondazione Bietti, 00198 Rome, Italy; (F.O.); (C.C.)
| | - Mohamed Zaid
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA;
| | - Gal Antman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 4941492, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Jeffrey T. Kuvin
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11549, USA;
| | - Brent Siesky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
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7
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Ye C, Kwapong WR, Tang B, Liu J, Tao W, Lu K, Pan R, Wang A, Liao L, Yang T, Cao L, Wang Y, Jiang S, Zhang X, Liu M, Wu B. Association between functional network connectivity, retina structure and microvasculature, and visual performance in patients after thalamic stroke: An exploratory multi-modality study. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3385. [PMID: 38376035 PMCID: PMC10794127 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Neuro-ophthalmologic symptoms and retinal changes have been increasingly observed following thalamic stroke, and there is mounting evidence indicating distinct alterations occurring in the vision-related functional network. However, the intrinsic correlations between these changes are not yet fully understood. Our objective was to explore the altered patterns of functional network connectivity and retina parameters, and their correlations with visual performance in patients with thalamic stroke. METHODS We utilized resting-state functional MRI to obtain multi-modular functional connectivity (FC), and optical coherence tomography-angiography to measure various retina parameters, such as the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), superficial vascular complex (SVC), and deep vascular complex. Visual acuity (VA) was used as a metric for visual performance. RESULTS We included 46 patients with first-ever unilateral thalamic stroke (mean age 59.74 ± 10.02 years, 33 males). Significant associations were found between FC of attention-to-default mode and SVC, RNFL, and GCIPL, as well as between FC of attention-to-visual and RNFL (p < .05). Both RNFL and GCIPL exhibited significant associations with FC of visual-to-visual (p < .05). Only GCIPL showed an association with VA (p = .038). Stratified analysis based on a disease duration of 6 months revealed distinct and significant linking patterns in multi-modular FC and specific retina parameters, with varying correlations with VA in each subgroup. CONCLUSION These findings provide valuable insight into the neural basis of the associations between brain network dysfunction and impaired visual performance in patients with thalamic stroke. Our novel findings have the potential to inform future targeted and individualized therapies. However, further comprehensive studies are necessary to validate our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ye
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - William Robert Kwapong
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Biqiu Tang
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Junfeng Liu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Wendan Tao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ruosu Pan
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Anmo Wang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lanhua Liao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Tang Yang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Le Cao
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Youjie Wang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xuening Zhang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Center of Cerebrovascular DiseasesWest China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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8
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Gao Y, Zhang X, Wu D, Wu C, Ren C, Meng T, Ji X. Evaluation of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. BMC Ophthalmol 2023; 23:455. [PMID: 37957614 PMCID: PMC10641930 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-03196-6] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFL) in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed in a general hospital. The intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis was evaluated by digital subtraction angiography (DSA), computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). High-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) was used to evaluate the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. RESULTS A total of 102 patients, including 59(57.8%) patients with ICAS and 43(42.2%) patients without ICAS, were finally analysed in the study. The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFL) was reduced significantly in the average, the superior and the inferior quadrants of the ipsilateral eyes and in the superior quadrant of the contralateral eyes in patients with ICAS compared with patients without ICAS. After multivariate analysis, only the superior pRNFL thickness in the ipsilateral eyes was significantly associated with ICAS (OR,0.968; 95% CI,0.946-0.991; p = 0.006). The area under receiver operator curve was 0.679 (95% CI,0.576-0.782) for it to identify the presence of ICAS. The cut-off value of the superior pRNFL was 109.5 μm, and the sensitivity and specificity were 50.8% and 83.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION The superior pRNFL in the ipsilateral eye was significantly associated with ICAS in this study. Larger studies are needed to explore the relation between pRNFL and ICAS further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, 100191, Beijing, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xuanwu hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053, Beijing, China
| | - Xuxiang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xuanwu hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053, Beijing, China
| | - Di Wu
- China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Xuanwu hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanjie Wu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053, Beijing, China
| | - Changhong Ren
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypoxic Conditioning Translational Medicine, Xuanwu hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xuanwu hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053, Beijing, China
| | - Xunming Ji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, 100191, Beijing, China.
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053, Beijing, China.
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9
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Lu K, Kwapong WR, Jiang S, Zhang X, Xie J, Ye C, Yan Y, Cao L, Zhao Y, Wu B. Differences in retinal microvasculature between large artery atherosclerosis and small artery disease: an optical coherence tomography angiography study. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1053638. [PMID: 36620764 PMCID: PMC9816383 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1053638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Recent reports suggest retinal microvasculature mirror cerebral microcirculation. Using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), we investigated the retinal microvasculature differences between ischemic stroke patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and small artery disease (SAD). Methods: All patients underwent MR imaging and were classified as SAD and LAA; LAA was subdivided into anterior LAS and posterior LAS depending on the location. Swept-source OCTA (SS-OCTA) was used to image and segment the retina into the superficial vascular complex (SVC) and deep vascular complex (DVC) in a 6 × 6 mm area around the fovea. A deep learning algorithm was used to assess the vessel area density (VAD, %) in the retinal microvasculature. Results: Fifty-eight (mean age = 60.26 ± 10.88 years; 81.03% males) were LAA while 64 (mean age = 55.58 ± 10.34 years; 85.94% males) were SAD. LAS patients had significantly reduced VAD in the DVC (P = 0.022) compared to SAD patients; the VAD in the SVC did not show any significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.580). Anterior LAA ischemic stroke showed significantly lower VAD (P = 0.002) in the SVC compared with posterior LAS patients. There was no significant difference in the DVC between the two groups (P = 0.376). Conclusions: We found LAA patients had significantly reduced DVC density compared with SAD; we also showed anterior LAA patients had significantly reduced SVC density compared with posterior LAA. These findings suggest retinal imaging has the potential to be used to detect microvasculature changes in subtypes of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Lu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | | | - Shuai Jiang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuening Zhang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianyang Xie
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Chen Ye
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuying Yan
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Le Cao
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yitian Zhao
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China,The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China,*Correspondence: Bo Wu Yitian Zhao
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Bo Wu Yitian Zhao
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10
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Duan H, Xie J, Zhou Y, Zhang H, Liu Y, Tang C, Zhao Y, Qi H. Characterization of the Retinal Microvasculature and FAZ Changes in Ischemic Stroke and Its Different Types. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:21. [PMID: 36239966 PMCID: PMC9586132 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.10.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to assess morphological changes in the retinal microvasculature and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in patients with ischemic stroke and its different subtypes. Methods Thirty-three patients with ischemic stroke (14 with nonlacunar infarction and 19 with lacunar infarction) and 27 control participants were enrolled in this study. Based on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), three vascular parameters, including vascular area density, vascular fractal dimension (VFD), and vascular orientation distribution (VOD), and four FAZ-related parameters, including FAZ area, FAZ axis ratio (FAR), FAZ circularity (FC), and FAZ roundness, in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were extracted and analyzed. Results Logistic regression results showed that worse best-corrected visual acuity (odds ratio [OR], 0.21), higher FAR (OR, 2.77) and lower FC (OR, 0.36) of the DCP were associated with ischemic stroke. Furthermore, lower VOD of the SCP was significantly associated with lacunar infarction compared with nonlacunar infarction. Conclusions Our study shows that the FAR and FC of the DCP may be potential biomarkers of ischemic stroke. Moreover, we demonstrated that OCT showed specific damage patterns in retinal microvascular and macular morphology in different subtypes of ischemic stroke. Translational Relevance This work lays the foundation for the pathophysiological characteristics of cerebrovascular diseases assisted by retinal imaging and artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Duan
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyang Xie
- Cixi Institute of BioMedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiyun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
| | - Chuhao Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
| | - Yitian Zhao
- Cixi Institute of BioMedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Hong Qi
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Beijing, China
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11
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Qu Y, Zhuo Y, Lee J, Huang X, Yang Z, Yu H, Zhang J, Yuan W, Wu J, Owens D, Zee B. Ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke risk estimation using a machine-learning-based retinal image analysis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:916966. [PMID: 36071896 PMCID: PMC9441897 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.916966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, causing a considerable disease burden. Ischemic stroke is more frequent, but haemorrhagic stroke is responsible for more deaths. The clinical management and treatment are different, and it is advantageous to classify their risk as early as possible for disease prevention. Furthermore, retinal characteristics have been associated with stroke and can be used for stroke risk estimation. This study investigated machine learning approaches to retinal images for risk estimation and classification of ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Study design A case-control study was conducted in the Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. According to the computerized tomography scan (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, stroke patients were classified as either ischemic or hemorrhage stroke. In addition, a control group was formed using non-stroke patients from the hospital and healthy individuals from the community. Baseline demographic and medical information was collected from participants' hospital medical records. Retinal images of both eyes of each participant were taken within 2 weeks of admission. Classification models using a machine-learning approach were developed. A 10-fold cross-validation method was used to validate the results. Results 711 patients were included, with 145 ischemic stroke patients, 86 haemorrhagic stroke patients, and 480 controls. Based on 10-fold cross-validation, the ischemic stroke risk estimation has a sensitivity and a specificity of 91.0% and 94.8%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for ischemic stroke is 0.929 (95% CI 0.900 to 0.958). The haemorrhagic stroke risk estimation has a sensitivity and a specificity of 93.0% and 97.1%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve is 0.951 (95% CI 0.918 to 0.983). Conclusion A fast and fully automatic method can be used for stroke subtype risk assessment and classification based on fundus photographs alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Qu
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Lab, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
- School of Population Medicine and Public Health, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhuo
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jack Lee
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Lab, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xingxian Huang
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhuoxin Yang
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinwen Zhang
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiqu Yuan
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaman Wu
- Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Benny Zee
- Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Lab, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
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12
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Ye C, Kwapong WR, Tao W, Lu K, Pan R, Wang A, Liu J, Liu M, Wu B. Alterations of optic tract and retinal structure in patients after thalamic stroke. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:942438. [PMID: 35966790 PMCID: PMC9363922 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.942438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesTo investigate the association between degeneration of retinal structure and shrinkage of the optic tract in patients after thalamic stroke.Materials and methodsPatients with unilateral thalamic stroke were included. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed to obtain parameters of optic tract shrinkage (lateral index) and retina structural thickness (retinal nerve fiber layer, RNFL; peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, pRNFL; ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, GCIP), respectively. Visual acuity (VA) examination under illumination was conducted using Snellen charts and then converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR). We investigated the association between LI and OCT parameters and their relationships with VA.ResultsA total of 33 patients and 23 age-sex matched stroke-free healthy controls were enrolled. Patients with thalamic stroke showed altered LI compared with control participants (P = 0.011) and a significantly increased value of LI in the subgroup of disease duration more than 6 months (P = 0.004). In these patients, LI were significantly associated with pRNFL thickness (β = 0.349, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.134–0.564, P = 0.002) after adjusting for confounders (age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and lesion volume). LI and pRNFL were both significantly associated with VA in all patients (LI: β = −0.275, 95% CI: −0.539 to −0.011, P = 0.041; pRNFL: β = −0.023, 95% CI: −0.046 to −0.001, P = 0.040) and in subgroup of disease duration more than 6 months (LI: β = −0.290, 95% CI: −0.469 to −0.111, P = 0.002; pRNFL: β = −0.041, 95% CI: −0.065 to −0.017, P = 0.003).ConclusionShrinkage of the optic tract can be detected in patients with thalamic stroke, especially after 6 months of stroke onset. In these patients, the extent of optic tract atrophy is associated with pRNFL thickness, and they are both related to visual acuity changes.
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13
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Lin CW, Yang ZW, Chen CH, Cheng YW, Tang SC, Jeng JS. Reduced macular vessel density and inner retinal thickness correlate with the severity of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268572. [PMID: 35617208 PMCID: PMC9135286 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), caused by mutations in NOTCH3, is the most common cause of hereditary cerebral small vessel disease. Whether it will involve systemic vasculopathy such as retinal vessel remains unknown. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is a noninvasive technique for visualising retinal blood flow. We analysed vessel density and retinal thickness in patients with CADASIL and investigated their correlations with disease severity. METHODS This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with CADASIL (59 eyes) and 35 healthy controls (54 eyes). OCT-A was used to measure the vessel density of the macular region and the thickness of retinal layers. Patients with CADASIL were divided into stroke (n = 20) and nonstroke (n = 15) subgroups and underwent cognition and gait speed evaluation. Neuroimaging markers of cortical thickness, white matter hyperintensity, lacunae, and cerebral microbleeds were examined through brain magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS The OCT-A parameters, including vessel density, were comparable between the patients with CADASIL and the controls. In patients with CADASIL, vessel density in the superficial retinal plexus in the macula as was inner retinal thickness was significantly lower in the stroke than the nonstroke subgroup. Macular vessel density and inner retinal thickness were positively correlated with gait speed, while negatively correlated with number of lacunae. CONCLUSIONS OCT-A is potentially a useful tool for evaluating disease severity, ischaemic burden, and neurodegeneration in patients with advanced CADASIL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Wen Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Zih-Wei Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Chen
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Cheng
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Chun Tang
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiann-Shing Jeng
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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14
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Lin CW, Lai TT, Chen SJ, Lin CH. Elevated α-synuclein and NfL levels in tear fluids and decreased retinal microvascular densities in patients with Parkinson's disease. GeroScience 2022; 44:1551-1562. [PMID: 35484471 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00576-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathognomonic hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), α-synuclein, has been observed in the retina of PD patients. We investigated whether biomarkers in the tears and retinal microvascular changes associate with PD risk and progression. This prospective study enrolled 49 PD patients and 45 age-matched healthy controls. The α-synuclein and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Retinal vessel density was assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). The Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and Mini-Mental State Examination score were used to assess motor and cognitive progression. The α-synuclein and NfL levels in the tears were higher in PD patients than in controls (α-synuclein: 55.49 ± 8.12 pg/mL vs. 31.71 ± 3.25 pg/mL, P = 0.009; NfL: 2.89 ± 0.52 pg/mL vs. 1.47 ± 0.23 pg/mL, P = 0.02). The vessel densities in the deep plexus of central macula and the radial peripapillary capillary layer of disc region were lower in PD patients with moderate-stage compared with early-stage PD (P < 0.05). The accuracy of predicting PD occurrence using age and sex alone (area under the curve [AUC] 0.612) was significantly improved by adding α-synuclein and NfL levels and retinal vascular densities (AUC 0.752, P = 0.001). After a mean follow-up of 1.5 ± 0.3 years, the accuracy of predicting motor or cognitive progression using age, sex, and baseline motor severity as a basic model was increased by incorporating retinal microvascular and biofluid markers as a full model (P = 0.001). Our results showed that retinal microvascular densities combined with α-synuclein and NfL levels in tears are associated with risk and progression of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Wen Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ting Lai
- Department of Ophthalmology, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Ju Chen
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Hsien Lin
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
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15
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Characterization of Macular Structural and Microvascular Changes in Thalamic Infarction Patients: A Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12050518. [PMID: 35624906 PMCID: PMC9139152 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The retina and brain share similar neuronal and microvascular features. We aimed to investigate the retinal thickness and microvasculature in patients with thalamic infarcts compared with control participants. Material and methods: Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) was used to image the macular thickness (retinal nerve fiber layer, RNFL; ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, GCIP), while OCT angiography was used to image the microvasculature (superficial vascular plexus, SVP; intermediate capillary plexus, ICP; deep capillary plexus, DCP). Inbuilt software was used to measure the macular thickness (µm) and microvascular density (%). Lesion volumes were quantitively assessed based on structural magnetic resonance images. Results: A total of 35 patients with unilateral thalamic infarction and 31 age−sex-matched controls were enrolled. Compared with control participants, thalamic infarction patients showed a significantly thinner thickness of RNFL (p < 0.01) and GCIP (p = 0.02), and a lower density of SVP (p = 0.001) and ICP (p = 0.022). In the group of patients, ipsilateral eyes showed significant reductions in SVP (p = 0.033), RNFL (p = 0.01) and GCIP (p = 0.043). When divided into three groups based on disease duration (<1 month, 1−6 months, and >6 months), no significant differences were found among these groups. After adjusting for confounders, SVP, ICP, DCP, RNFL, and GCIP were significantly correlated with lesion volume in patients. Conclusions: Thalamic infarction patients showed significant macular structure and microvasculature changes. Lesion size was significantly correlated with these alterations. These findings may be useful for further research into the clinical utility of retinal imaging in stroke patients, especially those with damage to the visual pathway.
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