Retinal health as an indicator of dementia risk

Scientists from the University of Otago in New Zealand have found that poorer retinal microvascular health is associated with a greater risk of developing dementia.

Writing in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers analysed data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study – a longitudinal birth cohort study.

They examined retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer and microvascular measures among the 938 study members at the age of 45.

The scientists found that narrower arterioles and wider venules were associated with a greater risk of developing dementia. A thinner RNFL was also linked to an elevated risk of developing dementia.

“Retinal microvascular imaging may be an accessible, scalable, and relatively low-cost method of assessing ADRD risk among middle-aged adults,” the researchers shared.

Co-lead author, Dr Ashleigh Barrett-Young, of the University of Otago’s department of psychology, highlighted that the research is still at an early stage.

“We can’t predict your future looking at an eye scan,” she said

“Hopefully, one day we’ll be able to use artificial intelligence methods on eye scans to give you an indication of your brain health, but we’re not there yet,” Barrett-Young emphasised.