Association of optic disc pallor and RNFL thickness with cerebral small vessel disease in the PREVENT-Dementia study

Samuel Gibbon (Lead / Corresponding author), Audrey Low, Charlene Hamid, Megan Reid-Schachter, Graciela Muniz-Terrera, Craig W. Ritchie, Emanuele Trucco, Baljean Dhillon, John T. O'Brien, Thomas J. MacGillivray

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION 

We tested associations between two retinal measures (optic disc pallor, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer [pRNFL] thickness) and four magnetic resonance imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD; lacunes, microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and enlarged perivascular spaces [ePVSs]). 

METHODS 

We used PallorMetrics to quantify optic disc pallor from fundus photographs, and pRNFL thickness from optical coherence tomography scans. Linear and logistic regression assessed relationships between retinal measures and SVD markers. Participants (N = 108, mean age 51.6) were from the PREVENT Dementia study. RESULTS: Global optic disc pallor was linked to ePVSs in the basal ganglia in both left (β = 0.12, standard error [SE] = 0.05, P < 0.05) and right eyes (β = 0.13, SE = 0.05, P < 0.05). Associations were also noted in different disc sectors. No pRNFL associations with SVD markers were found. 

DISCUSSION 

Optic disc pallor correlated with ePVSs in the basal ganglia, suggesting retinal examination may be a useful method to study brain health changes related to SVD. 

Highlights 

- Optic disc pallor is linked to enlarged perivascular spaces in basal ganglia.

- There is no association between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and cerebral small vessel disease markers. 

- Optic disc examination could provide insights into brain health. 

- The sample included 108 midlife adults from the PREVENT Dementia study.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12633
Number of pages10
JournalAlzheimer's and Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • cerebral small vessel disease
  • dementia
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • optic disc pallor
  • retina

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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