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Retinal vessel density correlates with cognitive function in older adults
Min Fang1, Keri Strand2, Juan Zhang3
1Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Experimental Gerontology
|June 6, 2021
Summary
Retinal vessel density is linked to cognitive function in healthy older adults. This study found a correlation between superficial vascular plexus density and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores, suggesting a potential biomarker for cognitive health.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology and Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Cognitive decline in aging is a growing concern.
- Retinal microvasculature changes may reflect systemic vascular health and brain health.
- Previous research has explored links between ocular health and cognition, but specific associations with retinal vessel density in cognitively normal older adults require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between retinal microvascular density and cognitive function in healthy older adults.
- To explore the association between retinal microvascular density and physical fitness in this population.
- To determine if retinal vessel density is a potential indicator of cognitive status in aging.
Main Methods:
- Twenty cognitively normal older adults (mean age 70.3 years) underwent optical coherence tomography angiography to measure retinal vessel densities (RVN, SVP, DVP).
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
- Physical performance was evaluated using the YMCA cycle ergometer test (TW-YMCA), and Spearman correlations were computed.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between superficial vascular plexus (SVP) vessel density and MoCA scores (rs = 0.53, P = 0.02).
- No significant correlations were observed between RVN or DVP density and MoCA scores.
- Retinal microvascular densities and cognitive function (MMSE) were not significantly related to physical performance (TW-YMCA).
Conclusions:
- This study provides novel evidence of an association between retinal superficial vascular plexus density and cognitive function (MoCA) in healthy older adults.
- Retinal microvascular density, particularly SVP, may serve as a potential non-invasive biomarker for cognitive health in aging populations.
- Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications of these findings for early detection and management of cognitive changes.
