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The Retina in Alzheimer's Disease: Histomorphometric Analysis of an Ophthalmologic Biomarker.
- Source :
-
Investigative ophthalmology & visual science [Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci] 2019 Apr 01; Vol. 60 (5), pp. 1491-1500. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Purpose: To provide a histopathologic, morphometric analysis of the retina in Alzheimer's disease (AD).<br />Methods: Human postmortem retinas from eight patients with AD (mean age: 80 ± 12.7 years) and from 11 age-matched controls (mean age: 78 ± 16.57 years) were analyzed. The retinas were sampled from the superior quadrant on both the temporal and nasal sides with respect to the optic nerve. Thickness of the inner and outer layers involving the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) were measured and compared between controls and AD. A total of 16 measurements of retinal thickness were acquired for each layer.<br />Results: RNFL thinning supero-temporally was significant closest to the optic nerve (∼35% thickness reduction; P < 0.001). Supero-nasally, RNFL was thinner throughout all points (∼40% reduction; P < 0.001). Supero-temporally, RGCL thinning was pronounced toward the macula (∼35% thickness reduction; P < 0.001). Supero-nasally, RGCL showed uniform thinning throughout (∼35% reduction; P < 0.001). IPL thinning supero-temporally was statistically significant in the macula (∼15% reduction; P < 0.01). Supero-nasal IPL featured uniform thinning throughout (∼25% reduction; P < 0.001). Supero-temporally, INL and ONL thinning were pronounced toward the macula (∼25% reduction; P < 0.01). Supero-nasally, INL and ONL were thinner throughout (∼25% reduction; P < 0.01).<br />Conclusions: Our study revealed marked thinning in both the inner and outer layers of the retina. These quantified histopathologic findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of the retina in AD than previously reported.
- Subjects :
- Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease diagnostic imaging
Biomarkers
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Organ Size
Retinal Diseases diagnostic imaging
Tomography, Optical Coherence methods
Alzheimer Disease pathology
Nerve Fibers pathology
Retinal Diseases pathology
Retinal Ganglion Cells pathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1552-5783
- Volume :
- 60
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30973577
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.18-25966