Correlation between retinal vessel rarefaction and psychometric measures in an older Southern Italian population

G, Giuliani; Sborgia, Giancarlo; Niro, Alfredo; Castellana, Fabio; Lampignano, Luisa; Puzo, Pasquale; Pascale, Angelo; Pastore, Valentina; Buonamassa, Rosa; Galati, Roberta; Bordinone, Marco Antonio; Cassano, Flavio; Clemente, Arcangelo; Landini, Luca; Scotti, Giacomo; Gaudiomonte, Marida; Guglielmi, Antonella; Semeraro, Roberto; Santoro, Michele; Alessio, Giovanni; Sardone, Rodolfo; Boscia, Francesco

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2022.999796

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 77 publications

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“…Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive, rapid and efficient imaging tool able to detect vascular network changes in aging population, in MCI and AD patients ( Ascaso et al, 2014 ; Chua et al, 2020 ; Sardone et al, 2021 ; Giuliani et al, 2022 ; Niro et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A two-year longitudinal study of retinal vascular impairment in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Criscuolo

Cennamo

Montorio

et al. 2022

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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ObjectiveTo evaluate the relation between retinal vascular impairment and cognitive decline in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) over time.MethodsSpectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT angiography study was performed in aMCI patients over 2 years follow-up and compared to baseline.ResultsThirty-eight eyes from 19 aMCI patients were evaluated. Structural and vascular OCT measures were reduced at follow-up except for vessel density (VD) of the choriocapillaris, unchanged, and foveal avascular zone, which was increased; no changes in any parameter were found in 18 age-matched healthy controls. Overall, these findings were confirmed when patients were evaluated separately according to progression to dementia. Only non-converters to dementia showed significant VD reduction in the deep capillary plexuses (coeff. β = −4.20; p < 0.001), may be for an initial massive VD depletion becoming less evident with progression of the disease. MMSE reduction was associated with a higher ganglion cell complex reduction (coeff. β = 0.10; p = 0.04) and a higher VD reduction in the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) plexus (coeff. β = 0.14; p = 0.02) in the whole patient group, while it was associated with a higher VD reduction only in RPC plexus in converters (coeff. β = 0.21; p < 0.001).ConclusionOur data shows vascular impairment progression in the inner retina of aMCI patients and support the hypothesis that vascular changes may contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Other follow-up studies, with a larger number of patients, are needed to better define VD as a potential biomarker.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A two-year longitudinal study of retinal vascular impairment in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Criscuolo

Cennamo

Montorio

et al. 2022

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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Associations of Microvascular Dysfunction with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Cognitive Function Among Rural-Dwelling Older Adults in China1

Jiang,

Wang,

Dong

et al. 2023

JAD

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Background: Microvascular dysfunction (MVD) may contribute to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, but evidence is limited. Objective: To investigate the association of composite and organ-specific MVD burden with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognition among rural-dwelling Chinese older adults. Methods: In this population-based cross-sectional study, we assessed MVD makers using optical coherence tomographic angiography for retinal microvasculature features, brain magnetic resonance imaging scans for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), and serum biomarkers for MVD. A composite MVD score was generated from the aforementioned organ-specific parameters. We used a neuropsychological test battery to assess memory, verbal fluency, attention, executive function, and global cognitive function. MCI, amnestic MCI (aMCI), and non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) were diagnosed following the Petersen’s criteria. Data was analyzed with the linear and logistic regression models. Results: Of the 274 dementia-free participants (age≥65 years), 56 were diagnosed with MCI, including 47 with aMCI and 9 with naMCI. A composite MVD score was statistically significantly associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.70 (95% confidence interval 1.12–6.53) for MCI and β-coefficient of –0.29 (–0.48––0.10) for global cognitive score after adjustment for socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, APOE genotype, the Geriatric Depression Scale score, serum inflammatory biomarkers, and cardiovascular comorbidity. A composite score of retinal microvascular morphology was associated with a multivariable-adjusted OR of 1.72 (1.09–2.73) for MCI and multivariable-adjusted β-coefficient of –0.11 (–0.22––0.01) for global cognitive score. A composite CSVD score was associated with a lower global cognitive score (β= –0.10; –0.17––0.02). Conclusion: Microvascular dysfunction, especially in the brain and retina, is associated with MCI and poor cognitive function among rural-dwelling older adults.

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Retinal Microvasculature Changes Linked to Executive Function Impairment after COVID-19

Ariza,

Delas,

Rodriguez

et al. 2024

JCM

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Background/Objectives: Studies using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) have revealed that individuals recovering from COVID-19 have a reduced retinal vascular density (VD) and larger foveal avascular zones (FAZs) than healthy individuals, with more severe cases showing greater reductions. We aimed to examine aspects of the retinal microvascularization in patients with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) classified by COVID-19 severity and how these aspects relate to cognitive performance. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 104 PCC participants from the NAUTILUS Project, divided into severe (n = 59) and mild (n = 45) COVID-19 groups. Participants underwent cognitive assessments and OCTA to measure VD and perfusion density (PD) in the superficial capillary plexus (SVP) and FAZ. Analysis of covariance and partial Pearson and Spearman correlations were used to study intergroup differences and the relationships between cognitive and OCTA variables. Results: Severe PCC participants had significantly lower central (p = 0.03) and total (p = 0.03) VD, lower central (p = 0.02) PD measurements, and larger FAZ areas (p = 0.02) and perimeters (p = 0.02) than mild cases. Severe cases showed more cognitive impairment, particularly in speed processing (p = 0.003) and executive functions (p = 0.03). Lower central VD, lower central PD, and larger FAZ areas and perimeters were associated with worse executive function performance in the entire PCC sample and in the mild COVID-19 group. Conclusions: Retinal microvascular alterations, characterized by reduced VD and PD in the SVP and larger FAZ areas, were associated with cognitive impairments in PCC individuals. These findings suggest that severe COVID-19 leads to long-lasting microvascular damage, impacting retinal and cognitive health.

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Correlation between retinal vessel rarefaction and psychometric measures in an older Southern Italian population

Cited by 3 publications

References 77 publications

A two-year longitudinal study of retinal vascular impairment in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

A two-year longitudinal study of retinal vascular impairment in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Associations of Microvascular Dysfunction with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Cognitive Function Among Rural-Dwelling Older Adults in China1

Retinal Microvasculature Changes Linked to Executive Function Impairment after COVID-19

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