Current publications show promising results in the in-vivo detection of amyloid deposits in the retina of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients as well in post-mortem flat mounted retinal tissue. The results are promising for the detection of early alterations associated with AD. The aim of our study was to confirm recently published findings using almost identical methodology, blue (ex: λ = 486 nm) fluorescence retinal imaging, curcumin as labelling fluorophore, and a similar data analyzing process.
The retina might be a promising target to identify early alterations associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Recent publications show promising results in the detection of retinal amyloid in AD patients in-vivo as well in post-mortem retinal tissue. The aim of this study is to confirm previously published findings using fluorescent retinal imaging and curcumin as labelling fluorophore.
In total, 40 patients were enrolled (26 AD, 14 controls) and the subjects’ amyloid assessment was based on CSF analysis and/or amyloid PET. We administered three different curcumin formulations: Longvida, Theracurmin and Novasol. Blue fluorescence (λ = 486 nm) retinal baseline and follow-up images of 2 to 6 retinal regions were performed.
The resulting images were visually assessed in a multidisciplinary setting and a selection of images were quantitatively analyzed (only from participants receiving Longvida and Novasol). The visual analysis of baseline images showed no increased fluorescence in AD patients compared to controls. Furthermore, no difference was found comparing pre- and post-curcumin images within AD and control patients. The quantitatively analysis confirmed the visual analysis, identifying similar amount of fluorescence spots in AD and control patients, even after curcumin intake.
Despite previous studies assessing retinal amyloid in AD patients with fluorescent retinal imaging using curcumin, we could not confirm the retinal changes described in previous studies. We were unable to reproduce the discrimination of AD patients from controls based on fluorescent retinal amyloid visualization.
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