Newswise — BOSTON –A groundbreaking study conducted at Boston Medical Center has discovered a notable connection between biomarkers present in the vitreous humor of the eye and confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) through post-mortem analysis of brain and eye tissue. Published in IOS Press, this preliminary research demonstrates that biomarkers in the vitreous humor could potentially be used as an indicator for neurodegenerative diseases.
The prevalence of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), continues to increase. In 2021, there were 6.2 million individuals aged 65 and above in North America suffering from AD, and this number is expected to rise to 13.2 million by 2060. The diagnosis of AD and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) relies on symptoms, clinical examinations, and cognitive testing. However, the definitive confirmation of these diagnoses is only possible through a post-mortem examination of the brain. In the case of Alzheimer's disease, pathological changes in the brain occur decades before the onset of symptoms. Consequently, by the time a patient is diagnosed, the potential effectiveness of treatments is often limited. Therefore, a major focus in AD research is the investigation of biomarkers that can predict the disease and be measured before symptoms manifest.
Individuals who suffer from eye diseases face a heightened susceptibility to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Numerous studies have successfully established a connection between neurodegenerative diseases and ophthalmic conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts. Notably, patients diagnosed with these eye conditions have an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, it is crucial to investigate biomarkers within this at-risk population to gain insights into their significance in early detection and diagnosis.
Manju Subramanian, MD, an ophthalmologist at Boston Medical Center and an associate professor in ophthalmology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, stated, "To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the significance of vitreous fluid biomarkers and establish a connection with confirmed post-mortem brain tissue pathological examination of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Additionally, it is the first study to identify a correlation between vitreous fluid biomarkers and confirmed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the potential role of vitreous biomarkers in the early diagnosis and prognosis of diseases such as AD and CTE."
The researchers conducting this study discovered a correlation between biomarkers, specifically total Tau and neurofilament light-chain (NfL), and pathologically confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The presence of these neurodegenerative proteins in the vitreous fluid confirms that changes occurring in the eye reflect neuropathological changes happening in the brain. These findings provide additional support for investigating the potential role of the eye in the diagnosis of AD and CTE, emphasizing its significance in understanding these diseases.
The results of this study expand upon the authors' previous research, which demonstrated a connection between biomarkers in vitreous fluid and cognitive function in individuals with both normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment. These findings serve as a basis for future investigations to further explore the role of biomarkers and other eye fluids in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This study provides an important stepping stone for further research in this field and highlights the potential for utilizing eye biomarkers in the advancement of these diseases' understanding and treatment.
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