Association of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness with Brain Alterations in the Visual and Limbic Networks in Elderly Adults without Dementia

35Citations
Citations of this article
52Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Importance: The eye is a sensory organ that is easily accessible for imaging techniques, allowing the measurement of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. The eye is part of the central nervous system, and its neurons may be susceptible to degeneration; therefore, changes in the RNFL thickness may reflect microstructural and volume alterations in the brain. Objective: To explore the association between the peripapillary RNFL thickness and brain alterations in the visual and limbic networks in elderly people without dementia. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional analysis of the Three-City/Antioxydants, Lipides Essentiels, Nutrition et Maladies Oculaires (Alienor) Study cohort (April 2009 to December 2010). The dates of analysis were July 2017 to August 2018. The setting was a population-based study in France. The brain volume analysis included 104 participants, and the diffusion tensor imaging analysis included 79 participants. Main Outcomes and Measures: Global RNFL was assessed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Brain volumes were assessed via T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging by measurement of the global white and gray matter fractions and the hippocampal fraction. Brain microstructural alterations were assessed with diffusion tensor imaging at the level of the posterior thalamic radiations, the limbic system tracts (the fornix and cingulum bundles), and the posterior limb of the internal capsule (control region). Linear regression models adjusted for several confounders were performed. Results: Among a total of 104 participants, the mean (SD) age was 80.8 (3.9) years, and the cohort was 56.7% women (n = 59). The mean (SD) global RNFL thickness was 89.3 (12.9) µm. A thicker RNFL was associated with a greater hippocampal fraction (quantity of increase ß = 0.013; 95% CI, 0.001-0.025 per 10-µm increase in the RNFL thickness) and better diffusion tensor imaging variables in the global cingulum (mean diffusivity ß = -0.007; 95% CI, -0.015 to -0.000) and the hippocampal part of the cingulum (mean diffusivity ß = -0.009; 95% CI, -0.016 to -0.002 and radial diffusivity ß = -0.010; 95% CI, -0.018 to -0.002) and the posterior thalamic radiations (fractional anisotropy ß = 0.008; 95% CI, 0.000-0.017). No significant associations were found with other magnetic resonance imaging volumes or with other diffusion tensor imaging variables. In particular, there was no significant association with the control region of interest. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this study suggest that in elderly individuals without dementia, a thicker RNFL was associated with better magnetic resonance imaging variables both in a region that included the visual pathways and in regions particularly involved in the neurodegenerative processes of Alzheimer disease..

References Powered by Scopus

Voxel-based morphometry - The methods

7412Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Dysmyelination revealed through MRI as increased radial (but unchanged axial) diffusion of water

2210Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

A Bayesian model of shape and appearance for subcortical brain segmentation

1856Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Developing retinal biomarkers for the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease: What we know, what we don't, and how to move forward

111Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Alzheimer’s Disease Seen through the Eye: Ocular Alterations and Neurodegeneration

31Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Afferent and Efferent Visual Markers of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review and Update in Early Stage Disease

27Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Méndez-Gómez, J. L., Pelletier, A., Rougier, M. B., Korobelnik, J. F., Schweitzer, C., Delyfer, M. N., … Helmer, C. (2018). Association of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness with Brain Alterations in the Visual and Limbic Networks in Elderly Adults without Dementia. JAMA Network Open, 1(7). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.4406

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 16

50%

Researcher 12

38%

Professor / Associate Prof. 3

9%

Lecturer / Post doc 1

3%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Medicine and Dentistry 20

65%

Neuroscience 8

26%

Nursing and Health Professions 2

6%

Chemical Engineering 1

3%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Social Media
Shares, Likes & Comments: 252

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free