Association between retinal microvascular changes and late brain amyloid-β deposition: The ARIC-PET study

Authors

• JR Thomas
• WE Frye
• CT Inglut
• RW Robey
• AC Warner
• D Butcher
• J Matta
• EF Edmondson
• AY Mitrophanov
• B Carrington
• R Sood
• MM Gottesman

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in the retinal microvasculature may be an easily obtainable and low-cost risk indicator associated with AD (Alzheimer’s disease) pathogenesis.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the association of retinal microvascular abnormalities in mid and late life and late life cerebral amyloid burden.
METHODS: Participants from the ARIC‐PET (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities‐Positron Emission Tomography) study with a valid retinal measure (N= 285) were included. The associations between mid- and late-life retinal signs with greater late-life amyloid-β (Aβ) by florbetapir PET were tested using logistic regression models. It was also assessed whether a newly created retinal score, incorporating multiple markers of abnormal retinovascular, was associated with greater Aβ burden.
RESULTS: Retinopathy in midlife (OR (95% CI) = 0.36 (0.08, 1.40)) or late life (OR (95% CI) = 2.87 (0.84, 11.5)) was not significantly associated with greater late-life Aβ burden in nondemented adults. A high retinal score in late life, indicating a higher burden of retinal abnormalities, was however significantly associated with greater Aβ burden adjusting for demographic and genetic confounders (OR (95% CI)= 3.58 (1.09, 14.2)).
CONCLUSION: The newly created retinal score may serve as a risk indicator for greater Aβ burden in the general population. Well-powered future studies with a greater number of retinal features and other microvascular signs are needed to test these findings.

Scientific Focus Area: Neuroscience

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