Retinal changes in the most accurate animal model of Alzheimer’s disease

This retinal discovery will open up new possibilities for early detection and monitoring of this neurodegenerative disease.

Using advanced imaging technologies such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), the researchers analyzed the retinas of APP transgenic mice.^NL-F/NL-Fa model that accurately simulates the pathological processes of human asthma. The study, published in Biomoleculescovered different stages of life of mice from 6 to 20 months, comparing them with control mice of the same age.

In particular, mice showed significant changes in the retinal vascular structure, especially in the superficial vascular complex, as well as variations in retinal thickness: a decrease in the thickness of the inner retinal layers and an increase in the thickness of the outer retinal layers at most analysis points. These structural changes precede the cognitive changes that occur in later stages of the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease

“PPP model^NL-F/NL-F “The mouse model most accurately reflects the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in humans compared to other transgenic models,” says Lidia Sanchez-Puebla, a researcher at IIORC and IdISSC.

Jose M. Ramirez, researcher in the Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT and IIORC, adds that the use of animal models “allows for studies of the disease to be conducted in a shorter time frame, since it can take about 30 years from the time patients present with the disease until the first symptoms appear.”

Early detection of AD is crucial for the management and treatment of the disease. Vascular and structural retinal changes detected by non-invasive techniques such as OCTA represent a promising tool for early diagnosis. “These findings not only facilitate the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of AD, but may also lead to the development of new early intervention strategies,” says Maria Rosa de Hoz, an IIORC researcher and co-author of the paper.

Cooperation

This study is the result of a collaboration between several institutions, including the Complutense University of Madrid, the Health Research Institute of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital, the National Cardiovascular Research Center and the RIKEN Research Institute in Japan. This network of international collaborations played a major role in the success of the project and highlights the importance of joining global efforts to combat neurodegenerative diseases.

“Our goal is to continue to advance these studies and explore the feasibility of translating these imaging techniques into clinical settings for the benefit of patients,” concludes IIORC researcher Inés López-Cuenca.

Bibliographic reference:

Sanchez-Puebla, L.; Lopez-Cuenca, I.; Salobrar-Garcia, E.; Gonzalez-Jimenez, M.; Arias-Vazquez, A.; Matamoros, J.A.; Ramirez, A.I.; Fernandez-Albarral, J.A.; Elvira-Hurtado, L.; Saido, T.C.; et al. Vascular and structural changes in the retina in mice with Alzheimer’s disease^NL-F/NL-F Model from 6 to 20 months. Biomolecules 2024, 14828. DOI: 10.3390/biom14070828.

Fountain: UCC-UCM