Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Given the close interactions between the retina and the brain, retinal amyloid imaging may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This retrospective study investigated multivariable associations between retinal perivascular amyloid and cognitive domains. METHODS: Integrated analysis of retinal perivascular amyloid imaging, neuropsychological assessment, and brain magnetic resonance imaging in adults with and without cognitive impairment (N = 26; mean age: 65 ± 7 years; 50% female). Correlations between perivascular amyloid plaque burden and cognitive domains were evaluated with linear regression and interactions with hippocampal volumetry were explored. RESULTS: Higher perivascular and periarteriolar amyloid plaque count in the secondary small and tertiary branches were associated with poorer verbal and visual memory in this cohort (p = 0.005-0.009). Higher perivascular amyloid burden interacted with hippocampal atrophy to worsen visual memory (p = 0.033). DISCUSSION: Retinal perivascular amyloid may serve as a non-invasive marker for cognitive impairment and may shed insight into pathological changes in the brain. HIGHLIGHTS: In vivo retinal perivascular amyloid plaque counts are associated with poorer memory. Retinal perivascular amyloid interacted with hippocampal atrophy to worsen memory. Retinal amyloid imaging is a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases.