Multimodal Ocular Imaging in Neurodegeneration

Summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two of the most common types of age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Identifying at-risk patients and gauging disease progression in a non-invasive manner would be invaluable. Early and correct diagnosis is crucial for coordinating supportive care, patient expectations, caregiver arrangements and family planning. In addition, as treatments become available, beginning therapy early in the disease before symptoms become severe will be important. Multimodal ocular imaging (MOI) includes an ophthalmic (eye) exam and eye photographs to evaluate different layers of the retina, which is the light sensing layer of the eye. Newer technologies make it possible to visualize the disease process occurring in AD and FTD by using MOI to look at the retina, since the retina is fundamentally an outward extension of the brain itself. This study will attempt to correlate signs of disease in the retina, as determined by MOI, with plaque buildup in the brain as seen by imaging. This will demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of MOI for diagnosing AD and FTD in a noninvasive manner.

Conditions

• Alzheimer Disease
• Alzheimer Dementia
• Frontotemporal Dementia

Interventions

DEVICE

Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT)

Each participant in this study will undergo Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging test of the eye, one time. OCT uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of the retina, which are generated using scattered light waves.

DEVICE

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Each participant in this study will undergo a single Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a scanning technique for creating detailed images of the human body. The scan uses a magnetic field and radio waves to generate images of the brain.

DEVICE

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Each participant in this study will undergo a single Positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the brain. PET is a nuclear medicine functional imaging technique that is used to observe metabolic processes in the brain as an aid to the diagnosis of disease using the combination of a radioactive tracer, camera, and a computer.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Comprehensive Ophthalmic Examination

Each participant in this study will receive one comprehensive eye examination which will be performed by a licensed ophthalmologist at the University of Michigan. This examination will include the assessment of the participant's visual acuity, a slit lamp examination which will look at the anterior and posterior tissues of the eye including the retina using various lights and lenses, and intraocular pressures.

DEVICE

Fundus Photography

Each participant in this study will undergo fundus photography of each eye. Fundus photography involves the use of a retinal camera coupled with a low power microscope to capture photographs of the retina.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Michigan

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Cagri G. Besirli, MD PhD · University of Michigan

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-01-04

Primary Completion

2019-04-03

Completion

2019-04-03

Countries

• United States

Study Locations