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Published on: January 10, 2019
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Marco Pellegrini1, Aldo Vagge2, Lorenzo Ferro Ferro Desideri2
1Ophthalmology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) can visualize retinal blood flow, potentially serving as an early indicator for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The retina's microcirculation resembles cerebral small blood vessels, making it a potential indicator of neurodegenerative disorders.
- Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis are associated with microvascular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A) applications in neurodegenerative diseases.
- To explore OCT-A's potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis and monitoring of these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies utilizing OCT-A in glaucoma and central nervous system conditions.
- Analysis of OCT-A's capability in visualizing retinal, choroidal, and optic nerve blood flow.
Main Results:
- OCT-A provides non-invasive, depth-resolved imaging of ocular microvasculature.
- Current literature suggests OCT-A's utility in assessing microvascular changes relevant to neurodegeneration.
Conclusions:
- The retina serves as an accessible 'window' for detecting microvascular damage in neurodegenerative disorders.
- OCT-A shows promise as an additional biomarker for the early detection and management of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis.
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