Retinal amyloid pathology and proof-of-concept imaging trial in Alzheimer’s disease

• DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.93621
• Publication Date: 2017-08-16T15:00:52Z
• Authors: Yosef Koronyo; David Biggs; Ernesto Barron; David S. Boyer; Joel A. Pearlman; William J. Au; Shawn J. Kile; Austin Blanco; Dieu-Trang Fuchs; Adeel Ashfaq; Sally Frautschy; Gregory M. Cole; Carol A. Miller; David R. Hinton; Steven R. Verdooner; Keith L. Black; Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
• Keywords: Amyloid (mycology)

Noninvasive detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with high specificity and sensitivity can greatly facilitate identification at-risk populations for earlier, more effective intervention. AD patients exhibit a myriad retinal pathologies, including hallmark amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposits.Burden, distribution, cellular layer, structure Aβ plaques were analyzed in flat mounts cross sections definite controls (n = 37). In proof-of-concept imaging trial 16), probe curcumin formulation was determined protocol established live patients.Histological examination uncovered classical neuritic-like deposits increased Aβ42 (4.7-fold; P 0.0063) neuronal loss (P 0.0023) versus matched controls. Retinal plaque mirrored brain pathology, especially the primary visual cortex 0.0097 to 0.0018; Pearson's r 0.84-0.91). often associated blood vessels occurred hot spot peripheral regions superior quadrant innermost layers. Transmission electron microscopy revealed assembled into protofibrils fibrils. Moreover, ability image solid-lipid modified scanning laser ophthalmoscope demonstrated patients. A fully automated calculation index (RAI), quantitative measure fluorescence, constructed. Analysis RAI scores showed 2.1-fold increase 0.0031).The geometric distribution burden pathology AD, together feasibility noninvasively detect discrete living patients, may lead practical approach large-scale diagnosis monitoring.National Institute on Aging award (AG044897) The Saban Marciano Family Foundations.