Abstract
Background Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, accounting for 70% of all dementias in old age. In clinical practice the diagnosis is based on typical features of the disease and exclusion of other conditions causing dementia or cognitive dysfunction. So far the diagnosis of definite AD can be confirmed only by brain biopsy or at autopsy. Therefore, a reliable noninvasive diagnostic method is mainly needed at this stage. In recent years, scientists based on the cholinergic hypothesis of the Alzheimer's disease1 developed systems of recording and measuring the pupil size (pupillometry) finding out that the pupil light reflex (PLR) responded in a particular way in Alzheimer's disease patients. Today imaging methods are an integral part of the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected dementia. MRI provides data of in vivo tissue and enables evaluation of brain structures such as the hippocampus.
Highlights
A statistical significant reduction of initial pupil radius (R1), Amplitude (Amp), maximum constriction velocity (VC max) and maximum constriction acceleration (AC max) was observed in the probable Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patient group when compared to the control group
The results from the pupillometry study suggest that a cholinergic deficit, may be the main reason of the parameter differentiation between the two groups[2]
Given that both AC max and VC max are significantly reduced in the AD patients confirms the cholinergic deficit of AD since Ach is considered the main neurotransmitter for the movement we study
Summary
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, accounting for 70% of all dementias in old age. In clinical practice the diagnosis is based on typical features of the disease and exclusion of other conditions causing dementia or cognitive dysfunction. The diagnosis of definite AD can be confirmed only by brain biopsy or at autopsy. A reliable non- invasive diagnostic method is mainly needed at this stage. Scientists based on the cholinergic hypothesis of the Alzheimer's disease[1] developed systems of recording and measuring the pupil size (pupillometry) finding out that the pupil light reflex (PLR) responded in a particular way in Alzheimer's disease patients. Today imaging methods are an integral part of the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected dementia. MRI provides data of in vivo tissue and enables evaluation of brain structures such as the hippocampus
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
