Optic Nerve Parameters and Cognitive Function in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort Eye Study
Joel Pitkänen1, Juha Veijola2, Jennifer Barnett3
1Department of Ophthalmology, PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
Ophthalmic Epidemiology
|April 20, 2021
Summary
Ophthalmic parameters like optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness show minor associations with cognitive function in adults. These links are statistically significant but have limited predictive value for cognition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The optic nerve head (ONH) is an accessible part of the brain.
- Understanding the relationship between ocular structures and cognitive function is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore associations between optic nerve head (ONH) properties, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and cognitive function.
- To investigate correlations between various cognitive assessment surrogates.
Main Methods:
- Ophthalmic and cognitive assessments were conducted on participants from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC) 1966 at age 46.
- Ophthalmological parameters included ONH disc area, neuroretinal rim volume, and average RNFL thickness.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the paired associates learning test (PAL), education level, GPA, and Humphrey visual field test (HFA) time.
Main Results:
- Larger ONH disc area correlated with higher education and faster HFA, but lower GPA.
- Increased neuroretinal rim volume was linked to fewer PAL errors, higher education, higher GPA, and faster HFA.
- Thicker RNFL was associated with faster HFA performance.
Conclusions:
- Statistically significant associations were found between ONH parameters, RNFL, and cognition in the NFBC Eye study.
- The observed correlations were generally negligible and had limited predictive value for cognitive function.
