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19-02-2024 | CADASIL | Original Article

Decreased retinal vascular density is associated with cognitive impairment in CADASIL: an optical coherence tomography angiography study

Authors: Yu Guo, Jianchen Hao, Ruilin Zhu, Li Bai, Yong Shan, Yunchuang Sun, Fan Li, Wei Zhang, Zhaoxia Wang, Liu Yang, Yun Yuan, Chen Ling

Published in: Neurological Sciences

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to assess alterations in retinal vascular density in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and investigate their association with MRI and cognitive features.

Methods

Twenty-five patients with CADASIL and forty healthy controls were evaluated by Cirrus HD-OCT 5000 with AngioPlex OCTA to determine changes in macular retinal vasculature. Retinal vasculature parameters between two groups were compared. The MRI lesion burden and neuropsychological scales were also examined in patients. The association between OCTA parameters and MRI/cognitive features was evaluated using partial Spearman rank correlation.

Results

The vessel density and perfusion density of whole image in macular region (vessel density: t = − 2.834, p = 0.005; perfusion density: t = − 2.691, p = 0.007) were significantly decreased in patients with CADASIL. Moreover, vessel density of whole image in macular region was negatively associated with Fazekas scores (ρ = − 0.457; p = 0.025) and the number of lacunar infractions (ρ = − 0.425, p = 0.038) after adjustment for age. Decreased macular vessel density and perfusion density of whole image were also associated with MoCA scores (vessel density: ρ = 0.542, p = 0.006; perfusion density: ρ = 0.478, p = 0.018) and other domain-specific neuropsychological tests (p < 0.05) after adjustment for age.

Conclusion

Decreased retinal vascular density was associated with increased MRI lesion burden and cognitive impairment in patients with CADASIL. Our findings suggest that the degree of retinal vascular involvement, as demonstrated by OCTA, may be consistent with the severity of MRI lesions and the degree of cognitive impairment in patients.

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Title: Decreased retinal vascular density is associated with cognitive impairment in CADASIL: an optical coherence tomography angiography study
Authors: Yu Guo
Jianchen Hao
Ruilin Zhu
Li Bai
Yong Shan
Yunchuang Sun
Fan Li
Wei Zhang
Zhaoxia Wang
Liu Yang
Yun Yuan
Chen Ling
Publication date: 19-02-2024
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: CADASIL
Angiography
Published in: Neurological Sciences
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-024-07390-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Decreased retinal vascular density is associated with cognitive impairment in CADASIL: an optical coherence tomography angiography study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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