Binocular Vision, Visual Function, and Pupil Dynamics in People Living With Dementia and Their Relation to the Rate of Cognitive Decline and Structural Changes Within the Brain: Protocol for an Observational Study

• DOI: 10.2196/16089
• Publication Date: 2020-05-12T17:29:12Z
• Authors: Marianne Piano; Ramin Nilforooshan; Simon Evans
• Keywords: Cognitive Decline

Background Visual impairment is a common comorbidity in people living with dementia. Addressing sources of visual difficulties can have significant impact on the quality life for dementia and their caregivers. Depth perception problems are purportedly also contribute to falls, visuomotor task difficulties, poorer psychosocial well-being. However, depth binocular vision rarely assessed research. Sleep fragmentation dementia, cooperation be affected by fatigue. Pupillary responses under cognitive load potential risk marker decline combined above measures comprehensive evaluation clinical changes relation status, sleep quality, cortical structure or function. Objective This study aims characterize nature altered task-evoked pupillary that may occur evaluate whether these relate status (standardized Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] score), Pittsburgh index, Methods proposed exploratory observational will enroll ≤210 recently diagnosed (within last 24 months). The following parameters 3 occasions, 4 months apart (plus minus 2 weeks): function (visual acuity contrast sensitivity), (motor fusion stereopsis), (minimum maximum pupil size, time dilation, dilation velocity), (MMSE (Pittsburgh Quality Index). A subset patients (n=30) Alzheimer disease undergo structural functional magnetic resonance imaging at first third visits, completing 10-day consensus diary monitor verified actimetry. Results research was funded February 2018 received National Health Service Research Ethics Committee approval September 2018. data collection period from October 1, 2018, November 30, 2019. total participants were recruited study. analysis complete, results expected published before end 2020. Conclusions Findings demonstrate how often experience problems. If frequent, diagnosing treating them could improve reducing falls fine relieving anxiety. perception, responses, memory brain related, quick noninvasive eye tests help would justify response testing should included dementia-friendly eye-testing guidelines. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR1-10.2196/16089