[Senile macula and cerebral functions]

Because of similarities in the physiology and histology of the intraocular and the cerebral circulations, a study of cerebral disorders in patients with senile macular choroidal degeneration (S.M.C.D.) was undertaken. Of 26 cases of S.M.C.D. with sufficient follow-up, 7 showed signs of cerebral disfunction. Types of problems most often found were inordinate disturbances of short-term memory, judgement, and social behavior. It appears that S.M.C.D. tends more to be associated with mental involution than with sensory-motor deficits. Various methods of investigating the cerebro-vascular circulation can be helpful in discussing causes of mental involution, including doppler ultrasound, echotomography Xemon 133 inhalation, positron emission tomography, C.T. scanning, and nuclear magnetic resonance scanning. The physiopathology may involve relative cerebral ischemia, modification of neurotransmitters, and free radical formation, as well as immunologic factors. Specific treatment may one day become reality.