Wang Manqiao, Chen Limei, Gong Yi, Pazo Emmanuel Eric, Gao Fei, Hu Liying, Chen Chen, Shao Yan, Liu Juping, Li Xiaorong
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease Eye Institute and School of Optometry Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital Tianjin China.
Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2025 Jul 22;17(3):e70147. doi: 10.1002/dad2.70147. eCollection 2025 Jul-Sep.
To investigate associations between cognitive status and retinal parameters in older adults.
The population-based Beichen Eye Study (BCES) recruited 5840 older adults from Tianjin, China. Retinal thickness and vessel density (VD) were measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT/OCTA). Cognitive function was assessed via the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Participants with gradable images and valid MMSE scores ( = 3606) were analyzed.
Cognitive impairment (CI) was identified in 32.7% of participants. Compared to non-CI individuals, those with CI exhibited reduced average retinal thickness ( = 0.007) and choroid thickness ( < 0.001). Superficial VD (VD) was significantly higher in moderate to severe CI compared to mild CI ( = 0.030). Linear mixed-effects regression demonstrated positive correlations between MMSE scores and retinal parameters ( = 0.518 to 0.530).
Retinal thinning may occur in mild CI, with VD changes as CI progresses. Choroidal thinning is a potential cognitive indicator. OCT/OCTA, as a non-invasive tool, offers potential for early cognitive disorder screening in aging populations.
Retinal thinning (average retinal thickness: = 0.007) and choroidal thinning ( < 0.001) are significantly associated with CI in older adults.A paradoxical increase in VD was observed in moderate to severe CI ( = 0.030), suggesting compensatory vascular remodeling.Choroidal thickness emerges as a robust biomarker for cognitive decline (correlation coefficient range: 0.518 to 0.530).The large-scale population-based study ( = 5840) was conducted integrating OCT/OCTA imaging with MMSE cognitive assessments.The study supports OCT/OCTA as a noninvasive, cost-effective screening tool for early detection of cognitive disorders in resource-limited settings.The study highlights vascular risk management (e.g., glycemic control, smoking cessation) as a dual target for retinal and cognitive health.
研究老年人认知状态与视网膜参数之间的关联。
基于人群的北辰眼病研究（BCES）从中国天津招募了5840名老年人。使用光学相干断层扫描血管造影（OCT/OCTA）测量视网膜厚度和血管密度（VD）。通过简易精神状态检查表（MMSE）评估认知功能。对具有可分级图像和有效MMSE评分的参与者（n = 3606）进行分析。
32.7%的参与者被确定存在认知障碍（CI）。与非CI个体相比，CI个体的平均视网膜厚度降低（P = 0.007），脉络膜厚度降低（P < 0.001）。与轻度CI相比，中度至重度CI的浅表VD（VD）显著更高（P = 0.030）。线性混合效应回归显示MMSE评分与视网膜参数之间存在正相关（P = 0.518至0.530）。
轻度CI可能会出现视网膜变薄，随着CI进展VD会发生变化。脉络膜变薄是一种潜在的认知指标。OCT/OCTA作为一种非侵入性工具，为老年人群早期认知障碍筛查提供了潜力。
视网膜变薄（平均视网膜厚度：P = 0.007）和脉络膜变薄（P < 0.001）与老年人的CI显著相关。在中度至重度CI中观察到VD出现反常增加（P = 0.030），提示代偿性血管重塑。脉络膜厚度成为认知衰退的有力生物标志物（相关系数范围：0.518至0.530）。开展了大规模基于人群的研究（n = 5840），将OCT/OCTA成像与MMSE认知评估相结合。该研究支持OCT/OCTA作为一种在资源有限环境中早期检测认知障碍的非侵入性、经济有效的筛查工具。该研究强调血管风险管理（如血糖控制、戒烟）是视网膜和认知健康的双重目标。
