Tau Protein in the Retina

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundCurrently there is no definite cure for Alzheimer’s therefore early detection is critical. Undetected Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) can lead to severe accidents, neglecting to take essential medications, injury to oneself or others, and/or financial problems. Currently, biomarkers are the most promising way to detect Alzheimer’s early on. Biomarkers such as beta‐amyloid and tau levels taken through invasive mehods or brain scans that involve radiation are among them.As the retina is an extension of the brain and the brain structure, it is possible to detect misfolded proteins via retinal examination non‐invasively. The aim of this study was to discover the binding property of curcumin to both Tau and AB in the retina as a potential biomarker for AD.MethodIn this study, 20 patients were invited with mild AD who had undergone retinal examination within the past 2 years. All the patients had retinal imaging with curcumin which revealed misfolded proteins during the examination and then they were advised to take daily curcumin. The mean age of the patients was 71, and the patients were instructed to take Curcumin Meriva in 500 mg supplements once daily after their prior examinations. All patients had tests repeated with FAF and Heidelberg Spectralis OCT device. The regions with abnormal lesions on FAF were detected and the layer of the defect was scanned by OCT plus compared with the previous imaging of the patients. The images were examined in a masked fashion by 2 specialists.ResultThe images disclosed hyperfluorescent lesions on FAF and OCT revealed accumulations in the inner layers of the retina. Some accumulations had dot shapes and others had fibril‐tangle shapes. Some lesions were present in prior exams, but they were more pronounced and shinier after curcumin use. Their size and shape were in concordance with misfolded proteins in the brain (Figure).ConclusionRetinal examination with curcumin revealed AB plaques in the retina in prior studies. Our study is the first that may demonstrate an easy way to detect the culprit plaque Tau inside the retina of live patients.