Dynamic retinal vessel analysis: flickering a light into the brain

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, vol. 16, pp. 1517368

Abstract

Introduction: Growing aging populations pose new challenges to public health as the number of people living with dementia grows in tandem. To alleviate the burden of dementia, prodromal signs of cognitive impairment must be recognized and risk factors reduced. In this context, non-invasive techniques may be used to identify early changes and monitor disease progression. Dynamic retinal vessel analysis (DVA) provides an opportunity to measure retinal vasoreactivity in a way that may be comparable to cerebral vasoreactivity, thus providing a window to the brain. Methods: We conducted a literature search on PubMed and Scopus to identify studies utilizing DVA to describe retinal vasoreactivity in central nervous system diseases and compare it with brain function and structure. We included original papers with full text in English. Results: We identified 11 studies, of which most employed a cross-sectional design (91%). Studies on cerebrovascular diseases reported that retinal vasoreactivity decreased in patient populations compared with that of healthy controls. Studies on cognitive impairment and dementia yielded mixed results, at least in part due to high population heterogeneity. There is also evidence for the association between DVA and brain and cognition parameters such as cerebral blood flow velocity, cerebral microvascular diffusivity, and cognitive function score. Discussion: The reviewed papers on DVA and brain function, despite the mixed results, have demonstrated the relationship between retinal vasoreactivity and cerebrovascular function and cognition. Heterogeneity in study populations, procedures, and analyses make comparisons difficult. Studies with larger sample size, clear description of the population and methods, and standardized DVA analysis are needed to elucidate the eye-brain connection and to enhance the translational and clinical applications of DVA.

Authors 10

1. Anna Péterfi

   Semmelweis University · University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

   Affiliation as printed

   International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

   Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

   Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

2. Ana Clara da C. Pinaffi‐Langley

   University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

   Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

3. Zsófia Szarvas

   Semmelweis University · University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

   Affiliation as printed

   International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

   Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

   Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

4. Mihaly Muranyi

   Semmelweis University · University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

   Affiliation as printed

   International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

   Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

   Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

5. Zalan Kaposzta

   Semmelweis University · University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

   Affiliation as printed

   International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

   Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

   Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

6. Cheryl Adams

   University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

   Affiliation as printed

   Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

7. Camila Bonin Pinto

   University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

   Affiliation as printed

   Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

   Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

8. Péter Mukli

   Semmelweis University · University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

   Affiliation as printed

   International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral School of Basic and Translational Medicine/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

   Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

   Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

9. Konstantin E. Kotliar corresponding Aachen Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics

   FH Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Medical Engineering and Technomathematics, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Juelich, Germany

10. Andriy Yabluchanskiy corresponding

    OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center · University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center · University of Oklahoma

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

    Oklahoma Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

    Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

    Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK, United States