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Optical coherence tomography as a biomarker in multiple sclerosis.
Anette Simble Fjeldstad1, Noel G Carlson, John W Rose
1University of Utah, Neurovirology Research Laboratory , Vaslchcs , USA 801 585-8021 ; a.fjeldstad@utah.edu.
Expert Opinion on Medical Diagnostics
|March 14, 2013
Summary
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) quantifies retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, offering a promising method to track axonal loss in multiple sclerosis (MS) and optic neuritis (ON) patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Biomarker Development
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease causing axonal dysfunction and neuronal loss.
- Optic neuritis (ON) is a common MS symptom, often associated with reduced retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides non-invasive measurement of RNFL thickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history and development of OCT technology.
- To explore the clinical application of OCT as a biomarker for axonal loss in MS.
- To highlight OCT's potential in monitoring disease progression and therapeutic efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical development of OCT technology.
- Analysis of OCT's advantages as a biomarker for axonal loss.
- Discussion of OCT's correlation with other biomarkers and imaging techniques.
Main Results:
- OCT is a promising tool for quantifying axonal loss in MS and ON patients.
- OCT measurements may correlate with MRI-assessed brain atrophy.
- OCT offers a reproducible method for clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- OCT is valuable for assessing disease progression in MS and ON.
- OCT can monitor the effectiveness of immune- and neuroprotective therapies.
- Future research will explore OCT correlations with vision tests and advanced imaging.
