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Detecting Alzheimer's Disease Using Ocular Tissue and Imaging: What Do We Know?
Minali Prasad1, Manju L Subramanian1,2
1Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Biomolecules
|November 27, 2025
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis may benefit from eye imaging and fluid biomarkers. While promising for research, ocular biomarkers are not yet primary clinical tools compared to blood tests.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing global health concern requiring early diagnosis.
- Noninvasive biomarkers are crucial for timely AD management.
- The eye's shared development with the brain makes ocular imaging a potential diagnostic avenue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review associations between Alzheimer's disease, ocular imaging, and fluid biomarkers.
- To explore the pathophysiology linking ocular structures to AD.
- To compare the clinical utility of ocular versus plasma biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on ocular imaging in AD research.
- Analysis of anterior and posterior ocular segment biomarkers.
- Discussion of imaging techniques like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and fundus photography.
Main Results:
- Ocular imaging techniques show associations with Alzheimer's disease.
- Pathophysiological links between ocular structures and AD are being elucidated.
- Plasma biomarker analysis is closer to clinical implementation than ocular biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Ocular imaging and biomarkers are valuable research tools for Alzheimer's disease.
- Current ocular diagnostic methods face feasibility challenges in clinical settings.
- Plasma biomarkers offer a more accessible, minimally invasive approach nearing clinical use.
