Retinal vascular density as a potential biomarker of diabetic cerebral small vessel disease
Authors' conclusion
Diabetic CSVDs are characterized by MRI markers, including deep WMHs and cerebral microbleeds, and showed impaired cognition with decreased visuospatial/executive ability and delayed recall ability. OCTA imaging revealed a significant decrease in retinal microvascular perfusion in diabetic CSVD, which was related to MRI markers and cognitive function. OCTA might be a valuable potential measurement for the early diagnosis of CSVD.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with diabetes assessed for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); retinal vascular density (VD) measured with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)
- Participants
- 131 patients
- Exposure
- Diabetic CSVD vs non-CSVD
- CSVDn = 43
- non-CSVDn = 88reference
- Outcome
- Retinal VD in diabetic CSVD by OCTA, and its associations with cerebral MRI markers and cognitive function
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Macular retinal VD
- Superficial vascular plexus VD independently associated with cerebral microbleeds (multiple linear regression)
- Intermediate capillary plexus VD associated with white matter lacunar infarcts after adjustment
- CSVD vs non-CSVD: P = 0.002
- CSVD vs non-CSVD: P = 0.005
- CSVD vs non-CSVD: P = 0.003
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Cognitive dysfunction and depressionCSVD vs non-CSVD · higher with CSVD | P = 0.034 |
| Cognitive dysfunction and depressionCSVD vs non-CSVD · higher with CSVD | P = 0.033 |
MRI markers in CSVD
- Deep white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) (most common MRI marker)
- 58.82%
- Cerebral microbleeds in subtentorial and cortical areas
- 34.78%
Cognitive dysfunction and depression
- Decreased visuospatial/executive ability and delayed recall ability with CSVD
Original publication
Retinal vascular density as a potential biomarker of diabetic cerebral small vessel disease. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 4 March 2024. doi:10.
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