Retinal neurodegeneration and brain MRI markers: The Rotterdam Study

Unal Mutlu, Pieter W.M. Bonnemaijer, M. Arfan Ikram, Johanna M. Colijn, Lotte G M Cremers, Gabriëlle H.S. Buitendijk, Johannes R. Vingerling, Wiro J. Niessen, Meike W. Vernooij, Caroline C W Klaver, M. Kamran Ikram*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    64 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We investigated the association of specific retinal sublayer thicknesses on optical coherence tomography (OCT) with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers. We included 2124 persons (mean age 67.0 years; 56% women) from the Rotterdam Study who had gradable retinal OCT images and brain MRI scans. Thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and inner plexiform layer were measured on OCT images. Volumetric, microstructural, and focal markers of brain tissue were assessed on MRI. We found that thinner RNFL, GCL, and inner plexiform layer were associated with smaller gray-matter and white-matter volume. Furthermore, we found that thinner RNFL and GCL were associated with worse white-matter microstructure. No association was found between retinal sublayer thickness and white-matter lesion volumes, cerebral microbleeds, or lacunar infarcts. Markers of retinal neurodegeneration are associated with markers of cerebral atrophy, suggesting that retinal OCT may provide information on neurodegeneration in the brain.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)183-191
    Number of pages9
    JournalNeurobiology of Aging: age-related phenomena, neurodegeneration and neuropathology
    Volume60
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2017

    Keywords

    • Epidemiology
    • Imaging
    • MRI
    • Neurodegeneration
    • Population based

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Retinal neurodegeneration and brain MRI markers: The Rotterdam Study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this