Ocular Biomarkers for Neuro-Degenerative Diseases
Introduction
While neuro-degenerative diseases primarily produce pathology in the brain, some have also been reported to affect the eye. The accessibility of the eye for non-invasive clinical examination makes it an ideal candidate for early detection or monitoring of these diseases.
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. A number of disease modifying drugs for AD have been developed, but their efficacy is minimal because AD cognitive symptoms arise only after significant, irreversible neural deterioration has occurred. Hence there is an urgent need to detect AD early and the eye may facilitate this.
Project Objective
The Ocular Biomarkers project objective is to develop non-invasive eye tests for early detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative and other diseases. A major focus is on Alzheimer's disease (AD) which can currently only be diagnosed after irreversible neurological damage has occurred. Advances are being made in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; hence a readily available early diagnostic test for the disease could be beneficial for patients and also for research into AD and new treatments. Research is also being conducted into prediction of stroke and monitoring of stroke patients, using imaging of the blood vessels in the retina.
Clinical Research
Clinical eye-test data is collected from research participants recruited from other studies, including the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL), DIAN (Directly Inherited AD Network) and other longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. By collaborating with other research studies, extensive clinical information can be gathered for participants, including neuro-psychological and cognitive test results, neuro-imaging results, cardiovascular health, blood biomarkers, genetic profiles and cerebro-spinal fluid markers. The results of eye-tests on the same participants enable statistical investigation of eye changes as diagnostic or monitoring tools for neurodegenerative diseases.
Ocular Imaging
Computer-aided techniques are being developed for the purpose of analysing ocular photographs from the retina. The purpose of this analysis is to make measurements from the imagery and to identify techniques that could detect changes in the eye associated with neurodegenerative disease.
Fig. 1 - Schematic of the eye.
The group is also in the process of acquiring new devices for alternative types of ocular testing, including light scattering, spectroscopic and pupillometric technologies. These devices will expand the range of tests that can be performed and investigated for the purposes of early detection of disease.
Fig. 2 - Retinal image analysis.
Fig. 3 - Retinal image analysis - Optic disc and vascular geometric analysis.
Biomolecular Research
The group has begun research into molecular changes in the eyes of animal models of AD. The aim of this research is to investigate changes in the AD eye on a molecular level. A better understanding of these biomolecular changes will assist in the design of ocular tests to detect these changes and provide early diagnosis of AD.
Novel telemedicine technologies
One of the major focus areas of AEHRC's Perth node is research and development of novel telemedicine technologies. We have been developing Teleophthalmology and electronic referrals system for eye care delivery and validating the system in WA. We will validate low cost non-invasive imaging technologies coupled with Electronic Health Records at metro hospitals.
