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Association of cognitive functioning with retinal nerve fiber layer thickness
Leonieke M E van Koolwijk1, Dominiek D G Despriet, Cornelia M Van Duijn
1Glaucoma Service, The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. l.vankoolwijk@oogziekenhuis.nl
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|May 8, 2009
Summary
Cognitive function is linked to thicker retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in younger adults. This association fades with age, suggesting distinct neuronal aging processes in the brain and retina.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The brain and retina share embryonic origins, hinting at potential links in development and function.
- Investigating the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) may offer insights into cognitive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between cognitive functioning and RNFL thickness in a large, population-based sample.
- To explore if this association differs across age groups.
Main Methods:
- 1485 healthy Dutch individuals underwent neuropsychological and ophthalmic examinations.
- Cognitive function was evaluated using various tests (e.g., memory, fluency, executive function).
- Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured using scanning laser polarimetry; analyses adjusted for confounders.
Main Results:
- A thicker RNFL was significantly associated with better cognitive performance across most tests (P < 0.03).
- RNFL thickness accounted for up to 2.8% of the variance in cognitive scores.
- This association was less pronounced in individuals over 40 years old.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive functioning is associated with RNFL thickness in younger, healthy adults.
- The diminishing association in older adults suggests age-related neuronal loss in the brain and retina may not be concurrent.
