Retinal microvascular alterations in Alzheimer's disease: Linking blood plasma biomarkers and cerebral small vessel pathology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Retinal microvascular alterations, detectable via color fundus photography (CFP), may reflect cerebral microvascular pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, their associations with blood-based biomarkers and cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) remain unclear.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 72 AD patients and 82 cognitively unimpaired (CU) controls. Participants underwent CFP, plasma biomarker analysis (amyloid beta [Aβ]42, Aβ42/40, phosphorylated tau [p-tau]181, p-tau217), and 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Retinal microvascular metrics (vessel density [VD], fractal dimension [FD]) were analyzed alongside SVD markers (white matter hyperintensities [WMHs], SVD burden) and medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA).

Results

AD patients exhibited

SUBMITTER: Kwapong WR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12509039 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature