Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Cerebral microbleeds and age-related macular degeneration: the AGES-Reykjavik Study
Chengxuan Qiu1, Mary Frances Cotch, Sigurdur Sigurdsson
1Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. chengxuan.qiu@ki.se
Abstract:
We test the hypothesis that cerebral microbleeds (CMB) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), both linked to amyloid-β deposition, are correlated. This study includes 4205 participants (mean age 76.2; 57.8% women) in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES)-Reykjavik Study (2002-2006). CMB were assessed from magnetic resonance images, and AMD was assessed using digital retinal images. Data were analyzed with multinomial logistic models controlling for major confounders. Evidence of CMB was detected in 476 persons (272 with strict lobar CMB and 204 with nonlobar CMB). AMD was detected in 1098 persons (869 with early AMD, 140 with exudative AMD, and 89 with pure geographic atrophy). Early and exudative AMD were not associated with CMB. The adjusted odds ratio of pure geographic atrophy was 1.62 (95% confidence interval 0.93-2.82, p = 0.089) for having any CMB, 1.43 (0.66-3.06, p = 0.363) for strict lobar CMB, and 1.85 (0.89-3.87, p = 0.100) for nonlobar CMB. This study provides no evidence that amyloid deposits in the brain and AMD are correlated. However, the suggestive association of geographic atrophy with CMB warrants further investigation.
Insights
This study found no direct link between cerebral microbleeds (CMB) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, a potential association between geographic atrophy and CMB suggests further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are both associated with amyloid-β deposition.
- Investigating potential correlations between these conditions is crucial for understanding age-related neurovascular and ocular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that cerebral microbleeds (CMB) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are correlated.
- To explore the relationship between amyloid-β deposition in the brain and AMD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 4205 participants in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES)-Reykjavik Study.
- Assessed CMB using magnetic resonance imaging and AMD using digital retinal images.
- Employed multinomial logistic models to analyze data, controlling for major confounders.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between CMB and early or exudative AMD.
- A suggestive, though not statistically significant, association was observed between pure geographic atrophy and the presence of any CMB (OR 1.62, p=0.089).
- Specific associations for strict lobar CMB and nonlobar CMB with pure geographic atrophy were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence to support a correlation between amyloid deposits in the brain (indicated by CMB) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- A potential link between geographic atrophy and CMB warrants further investigation.
- Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms connecting these conditions.
