Retinal Hyperspectral Imaging in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Summary

Hyperspectral retinal imaging is a non-invasive imaging modality in which a series of images of the retina are captured using light of different wavelengths. The resulting "hypercube" of data provides a wealth of information about the retinal structure. Our group has developed evidence supporting a role for this technology in the detection of retinal amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease. We are undertaking further studies to establish the role of this method in the assessment of people with dementia, or those at risk of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we wish to test whether the approach may have value in other forms of dementia or neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy-Body dementia or vascular dementia.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged over 30 years.
2. Have dementia or a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, Niemann-Pick type 2 or vascular dementia (age-matched and sex-matched controls will also be recruited).
3. With the exception of participants with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body disease, for whom clinical examination by a neurologist is sufficient to establish a clinical diagnosis of probable dementia with Lewy Body or probable Parkinson disease dementia, all participants must have previously undergone at least of one of the following tests to help to confirm a clinical diagnosis of dementia or neurodegenerative disease: genetic tests, blood biomarker tests (amyloid, tau, neurofilament light), a brain amyloid beta PET scan, or cerebrospinal fluid tests.
4. Have a minimum best corrected visual acuity level of 6/60 in both eyes and no major eye problems, such as advanced age-related macular degeneration, advanced glaucoma, or greater than moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
5. Be willing to participate in the study and attend the Centre for Eye Research Australia.
6. Be accompanied by a friend or family member.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to provide informed consent
2. Ocular conditions preventing adequate retinal imaging (e.g., dense cataract, severe corneal opacity, vitreous haemorrhage)
3. Known contraindication to pharmacological pupil dilation
4. Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would compromise participant safety or image quality

Conditions9

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