Early screening for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in subjects with age‐related macular degeneration: Associated risk factors and impact on their quality of life

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAge‐associated macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of central vision loss in one or both eyes, Multiple studies have shown that AMD and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have risk factors and histopathological changes in common, such as the constitution of protein deposits.MethodCase‐control type analysis study, On a sample of 236 subjects, of whom 118 present AMD (cases) from the Colombian Ophthalmology Center in the city of Bogotá and 118 non‐DMR (controls) an analytical study of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (ApoE) is performed to establish the degree of association between AMD and AD. After performing anamnesis and risk factors questionnaire, the fundus of the eye is studied by means of a Topcon TRV‐50VT type non midritic camera confirming the AMD, and Neuropsychological evaluation for cognitive impairment (MMSE, MOCA, MOCA BASICA and MOCA BLIND) for detection of MCI or AD and QOLIE quality of life questionnaire.ResultStudy in progress, in the phase of recruitment of subjects to participate, in the ophthalmological center in Bogotá. Visual abnormalities are prominent in AD and are believed to develop before cognitive decline, with our study we proposed the hypothesis of correlation for biomarkers (+) especially for ApoE 4 in blood for subjects with AMD and AD/MCI. On the other hand, we propose Correlation of ApoE2 or ApoE3 for biomarkers in the control group. In addition, we hope to correct the risk factors in both pathologies, we also plan a significant impact on quality of life for subjects with AMD and AD/MCI compared to the other groups.ConclusionMany of the protein accumulations associated with druses have been identified as responsible for the pathogenesis of other diseases such as AD, arteriosclerosis and amyloidosis, opening the possibility of common origins. Apo E is a cholesterol‐carrying protein that is present in hard and soft druses, in the brain one of the functions of Apo E is to regulate cholesterol during the process of neuronal remodeling. The apolipoprotein E allele inheritance is involved in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis and AD but with a decreased risk of exudative AMD.