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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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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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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Moran C, Xu ZY, Mehta H, Gillies M, Karayiannis C, Beare R, Chen C, Srikanth V. Neuroimaging and cognitive correlates of retinal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) measures at late middle age in a twin sample. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9562. [PMID: 35688899 PMCID: PMC9187769 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13662-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sharing in embryology and function between the eye and brain has led to interest in whether assessments of the eye reflect brain changes seen in neurodegeneration. We aimed to examine the associations between measures of retinal layer thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multimodal measures of brain structure and function. Using a convenient sample of twins discordant for type 2 diabetes, we performed cognitive testing, structural brain MRI (tissue volumetry), diffusion tensor imaging (white matter microstructure), and arterial spin labelling (cerebral blood flow). OCT images were recorded and retinal thickness maps generated. We used mixed level modelling to examine the relationship between retinal layer thicknesses and brain measures. We enrolled 35 people (18 pairs, mean age 63.8 years, 63% female). Ganglion cell layer thickness was positively associated with memory, speed, gray matter volume, and altered mean diffusivity. Ganglion cell layer thickness was strongly positively associated with regional cerebral blood flow. We found only a limited number of associations between other retinal layer thickness and measures of brain structure or function. Ganglion cell layer thickness showed consistent associations with a range of brain measures suggesting it may have utility as a marker for future dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Moran
- National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Aged Care, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zheng Yang Xu
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,UCL Medical School, London, UK
| | - Hemal Mehta
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Macular Research Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mark Gillies
- Macular Research Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chris Karayiannis
- National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard Beare
- National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christine Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Velandai Srikanth
- National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Peninsula Health and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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Cho BJ, Lee M, Han J, Kwon S, Oh MS, Yu KH, Lee BC, Kim JH, Kim C. Prediction of White Matter Hyperintensity in Brain MRI Using Fundus Photographs via Deep Learning. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11123309. [PMID: 35743380 PMCID: PMC9224833 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: We investigated whether a deep learning algorithm applied to retinal fundoscopic images could predict cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH), as represented by a modified Fazekas scale (FS), on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Participants who had undergone brain MRI and health-screening fundus photography at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital between 2010 and 2020 were consecutively included. The subjects were divided based on the presence of WMH, then classified into three groups according to the FS grade (0 vs. 1 vs. 2+) using age matching. Two pre-trained convolutional neural networks were fine-tuned and evaluated for prediction performance using 10-fold cross-validation. Results: A total of 3726 fundus photographs from 1892 subjects were included, of which 905 fundus photographs from 462 subjects were included in the age-matched balanced dataset. In predicting the presence of WMH, the mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.736 ± 0.030 for DenseNet-201 and 0.724 ± 0.026 for EfficientNet-B7. For the prediction of FS grade, the mean accuracies reached 41.4 ± 5.7% with DenseNet-201 and 39.6 ± 5.6% with EfficientNet-B7. The deep learning models focused on the macula and retinal vasculature to detect an FS of 2+. Conclusions: Cerebral WMH might be partially predicted by non-invasive fundus photography via deep learning, which may suggest an eye–brain association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bum-Joo Cho
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang 14068, Korea; (B.-J.C.); (S.K.)
- Medical Artificial Intelligence Center, Hallym University Medical Center, Anyang 14068, Korea;
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Seoul National University Biomedical Informatics (SNUBI), Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Minwoo Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hallym Neurological Institute, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang 14068, Korea; (M.L.); (M.S.O.); (K.-H.Y.); (B.-C.L.)
| | - Jiyong Han
- Medical Artificial Intelligence Center, Hallym University Medical Center, Anyang 14068, Korea;
| | - Soonil Kwon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang 14068, Korea; (B.-J.C.); (S.K.)
| | - Mi Sun Oh
- Department of Neurology, Hallym Neurological Institute, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang 14068, Korea; (M.L.); (M.S.O.); (K.-H.Y.); (B.-C.L.)
| | - Kyung-Ho Yu
- Department of Neurology, Hallym Neurological Institute, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang 14068, Korea; (M.L.); (M.S.O.); (K.-H.Y.); (B.-C.L.)
| | - Byung-Chul Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hallym Neurological Institute, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang 14068, Korea; (M.L.); (M.S.O.); (K.-H.Y.); (B.-C.L.)
| | - Ju Han Kim
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Seoul National University Biomedical Informatics (SNUBI), Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.H.K.); (C.K.); Tel.: +82-2-740-8320 (J.H.K.); +82-33-240-5255 (C.K.); Fax: +82-2-3673-2167 (J.H.K.); +82-33-255-6244 (C.K.)
| | - Chulho Kim
- Department of Neurology, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon 24253, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.H.K.); (C.K.); Tel.: +82-2-740-8320 (J.H.K.); +82-33-240-5255 (C.K.); Fax: +82-2-3673-2167 (J.H.K.); +82-33-255-6244 (C.K.)
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Czakó C, Kovács T, Ungvari Z, Csiszar A, Yabluchanskiy A, Conley S, Csipo T, Lipecz A, Horváth H, Sándor GL, István L, Logan T, Nagy ZZ, Kovács I. Retinal biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID): implication for early diagnosis and prognosis. GeroScience 2020; 42:1499-1525. [PMID: 33011937 PMCID: PMC7732888 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00252-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment and dementia are major medical, social, and economic public health issues worldwide with significant implications for life quality in older adults. The leading causes are Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular cognitive impairment/dementia (VCID). In both conditions, pathological alterations of the cerebral microcirculation play a critical pathogenic role. Currently, the main pathological biomarkers of AD-β-amyloid peptide and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins-are detected either through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or PET examination. Nevertheless, given that they are invasive and expensive procedures, their availability is limited. Being part of the central nervous system, the retina offers a unique and easy method to study both neurodegenerative disorders and cerebral small vessel diseases in vivo. Over the past few decades, a number of novel approaches in retinal imaging have been developed that may allow physicians and researchers to gain insights into the genesis and progression of cerebromicrovascular pathologies. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, fundus photography, and dynamic vessel analyzer (DVA) are new imaging methods providing quantitative assessment of retinal structural and vascular indicators-such as thickness of the inner retinal layers, retinal vessel density, foveal avascular zone area, tortuosity and fractal dimension of retinal vessels, and microvascular dysfunction-for cognitive impairment and dementia. Should further studies need to be conducted, these retinal alterations may prove to be useful biomarkers for screening and monitoring dementia progression in clinical routine. In this review, we seek to highlight recent findings and current knowledge regarding the application of retinal biomarkers in dementia assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Czakó
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Translational Geroscience Laboratory, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Theoretical Medicine Doctoral School/Departments of Medical Physics and Informatics & Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anna Csiszar
- Translational Geroscience Laboratory, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Theoretical Medicine Doctoral School/Departments of Medical Physics and Informatics & Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andriy Yabluchanskiy
- Translational Geroscience Laboratory, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 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
| | - Shannon Conley
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Tamas Csipo
- Translational Geroscience Laboratory, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Department of Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Agnes Lipecz
- Translational Geroscience Laboratory, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging/Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Josa Andras Hospital, Nyiregyhaza, Hungary
| | - Hajnalka Horváth
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Lilla István
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Trevor Logan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Zsolt Nagy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Illés Kovács
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY, USA.
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Amil P, Reyes-Manzano CF, Guzmán-Vargas L, Sendiña-Nadal I, Masoller C. Network-based features for retinal fundus vessel structure analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220132. [PMID: 31344132 PMCID: PMC6658152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal fundus imaging is a non-invasive method that allows visualizing the structure of the blood vessels in the retina whose features may indicate the presence of diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and glaucoma. Here we present a novel method to analyze and quantify changes in the retinal blood vessel structure in patients diagnosed with glaucoma or with DR. First, we use an automatic unsupervised segmentation algorithm to extract a tree-like graph from the retina blood vessel structure. The nodes of the graph represent branching (bifurcation) points and endpoints, while the links represent vessel segments that connect the nodes. Then, we quantify structural differences between the graphs extracted from the groups of healthy and non-healthy patients. We also use fractal analysis to characterize the extracted graphs. Applying these techniques to three retina fundus image databases we find significant differences between the healthy and non-healthy groups (p-values lower than 0.005 or 0.001 depending on the method and on the database). The results are sensitive to the segmentation method (manual or automatic) and to the resolution of the images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Amil
- Nonlinear Dynamics, Nonlinear Optics and Lasers, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Terrassa, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Cesar F. Reyes-Manzano
- Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria en Ingeniería y Tecnologías Avanzadas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Lev Guzmán-Vargas
- Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria en Ingeniería y Tecnologías Avanzadas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Irene Sendiña-Nadal
- Complex Systems Group & GISC, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Masoller
- Nonlinear Dynamics, Nonlinear Optics and Lasers, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Terrassa, Spain
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7
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Chan VTT, Sun Z, Tang S, Chen LJ, Wong A, Tham CC, Wong TY, Chen C, Ikram MK, Whitson HE, Lad EM, Mok VCT, Cheung CY. Spectral-Domain OCT Measurements in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ophthalmology 2019; 126:497-510. [PMID: 30114417 PMCID: PMC6424641 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
TOPIC OCT is a noninvasive tool to measure specific retinal layers in the eye. The relationship of retinal spectral-domain (SD) OCT measurements with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains unclear. Hence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the SD OCT measurements in AD and MCI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Current methods of diagnosing early AD are expensive and invasive. Retinal measurements of SD OCT, which are noninvasive, technically simple, and inexpensive, are potential biomarkers of AD. METHODS We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Excerpta Medica Database to identify studies published before December 31, 2017, that assessed the associations between AD, MCI, and measurements of SD OCT: ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), macular volume, and choroidal thickness, in addition to retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness. We used a random-effects model to examine these relationships. We also conducted meta-regression and assessed heterogeneity, publication bias, and study quality. RESULTS We identified 30 eligible studies, involving 1257 AD patients, 305 MCI patients, and 1460 controls, all of which were cross-sectional studies. In terms of the macular structure, AD patients showed significant differences in GC-IPL thickness (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.80 to -0.11; I2 = 71%), GCC thickness (SMD, -0.84; 95% CI, -1.10 to -0.57; I2 = 0%), macular volume (SMD, -0.58; 95% CI, -1.03 to -0.14; I2 = 80%), and macular thickness of all inner and outer sectors (SMD range, -0.52 to -0.74; all P < 0.001) when compared with controls. Peripapillary RNFL thickness (SMD, -0.67; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.38; I2 = 89%) and choroidal thickness (SMD range, -0.88 to -1.03; all P < 0.001) also were thinner in AD patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirmed the associations between retinal measurements of SD OCT and AD, highlighting the potential usefulness of SD OCT measurements as biomarkers of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor T T Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zihan Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shumin Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Jia Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Adrian Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Clement C Tham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tien Y Wong
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Christopher Chen
- Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - M Kamran Ikram
- Departments of Neurology and Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heather E Whitson
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Vincent C T Mok
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Carol Y Cheung
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Lau AY, Mok V, Lee J, Fan Y, Zeng J, Lam B, Wong A, Kwok C, Lai M, Zee B. Retinal image analytics detects white matter hyperintensities in healthy adults. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2018; 6:98-105. [PMID: 30656187 PMCID: PMC6331948 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective We investigated whether an automatic retinal image analysis (ARIA) incorporating machine learning approach can identify asymptomatic older adults harboring high burden of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) using MRI as gold standard. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 180 community-dwelling, stroke-, and dementia-free healthy subjects and performed ARIA by acquiring a nonmydriatic retinal fundus image. The primary outcome was the diagnostic performance of ARIA in detecting significant WMH on MRI brain, defined as age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) grade ≥2. We analyzed both clinical variables and retinal characteristics using logistic regression analysis. We developed a machine learning network model with ARIA to estimate WMH and its classification. Results All 180 subjects completed MRI and ARIA. The mean age was 70.3 ± 4.5 years, 70 (39%) were male. Risk factor profiles were: 106 (59%) hypertension, 31 (17%) diabetes, and 47 (26%) hyperlipidemia. Severe WMH (global ARWMC grade ≥2) was found in 56 (31%) subjects. The performance for detecting severe WMH with sensitivity (SN) 0.929 (95% CI from 0.819 to 0.977) and specificity (SP) 0.984 (95% CI from 0.937 to 0.997) was excellent. There was a good correlation between WMH volume (log-transformed) obtained from MRI versus those estimated from retinal images using ARIA with a correlation coefficient of 0.897 (95% CI from 0.864 to 0.922). Interpretation We developed a robust algorithm to automatically evaluate retinal fundus image that can identify subjects with high WMH burden. Further community-based prospective studies should be performed for early screening of population at risk of cerebral small vessel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Y Lau
- Division of Neurology Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT Hong Kong.,Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia and Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT Hong Kong
| | - Vincent Mok
- Division of Neurology Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT Hong Kong.,Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia and Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT Hong Kong
| | - Jack Lee
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Lab CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute Shenzhen China.,Division of Biostatistics Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong New Territories Hong Kong
| | - Yuhua Fan
- Department of Neurology First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China.,Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases National Key Clinical Department National Key Discipline Guangzhou 510080 China
| | - Jinsheng Zeng
- Department of Neurology First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou Guangdong China.,Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases National Key Clinical Department National Key Discipline Guangzhou 510080 China
| | - Bonnie Lam
- Division of Neurology Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT Hong Kong.,Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia and Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT Hong Kong
| | - Adrian Wong
- Division of Neurology Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT Hong Kong.,Therese Pei Fong Chow Research Centre for Prevention of Dementia and Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT Hong Kong
| | - Chloe Kwok
- Division of Biostatistics Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong New Territories Hong Kong
| | - Maria Lai
- Division of Biostatistics Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong New Territories Hong Kong
| | - Benny Zee
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Lab CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute Shenzhen China.,Division of Biostatistics Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong New Territories Hong Kong
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