Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025
Labeling and Imaging of Amyloid Plaques in Brain Tissue Using the Natural Polyphenol Curcumin
Published on: November 1, 2019
No difference in retinal fluorescence after oral curcumin intake in amyloid-proven AD cases compared to controls
Jurre den Haan1, Frederique J Hart de Ruyter1, Benjamin Lochocki2
1Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc Alzheimer Center Neurology Amsterdam The Netherlands.
Introduction:
Previous work has showed the in vivo presence of retinal amyloid in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients using curcumin. We aimed to replicate these findings in an amyloid biomarker-confirmed cohort.
Methods:
Twenty-six patients with AD (age 66 [+9], Mini-Mental Status Examination [MMSE] ≥17) and 14 controls (age 71 [+12]) used one of three curcumin formulations: Longvida, Theracurmin, and Novasol. Plasma levels were determined and pre- and post-curcumin retinal fluorescence scans were assessed visually in all cases and quantitatively assessed in a subset.
Results:
Visual assessment showed no difference between AD patients and controls for pre- and post-curcumin images. This was confirmed by quantitative analyses on a subset. Mean conjugated plasma curcumin levels were 198.7 nM (Longvida), 576.6 nM (Theracurmin), and 1605.8 nM (Novasol).
Discussion:
We found no difference in retinal fluorescence between amyloid-confirmed AD cases and control participants, using Longvida and two additional curcumin formulations. Additional replication studies in amyloid-confirmed cohorts are needed to assess the diagnostic value of retinal fluorescence as an AD biomarker.
