Multimodal Ocular Imaging in Neurodegeneration
Condition: Alzheimer Disease; Alzheimer Dementia; Frontotemporal Dementia
MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease; Dementia; Frontotemporal Dementia; Aphasia, Primary Progressive; Pick Disease of the Brain; Nerve Degeneration
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two of the most common types
      of age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Identifying at-risk patients and gauging disease
      progression in a non-invasive manner would be invaluable. Early and correct diagnosis is
      crucial for coordinating supportive care, patient expectations, caregiver arrangements and
      family planning. In addition, as treatments become available, beginning therapy early in the
      disease before symptoms become severe will be important. Multimodal ocular imaging (MOI)
      includes an ophthalmic (eye) exam and eye photographs to evaluate different layers of the
      retina, which is the light sensing layer of the eye. Newer technologies make it possible to
      visualize the disease process occurring in AD and FTD by using MOI to look at the retina,
      since the retina is fundamentally an outward extension of the brain itself. This study will
      attempt to correlate signs of disease in the retina, as determined by MOI, with plaque
      buildup in the brain as seen by imaging. This will demonstrate the sensitivity and
      specificity of MOI for diagnosing AD and FTD in a noninvasive manner.
    


Intervention name(s): Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT); Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); Positron Emission Tomography (PET); Comprehensive Ophthalmic Examination; Fundus Photography
Intervention type(s): Device; Device; Device; Diagnostic Test; Device
Intervention description(s): Each participant in this study will undergo Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging test of the eye, one time. OCT uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of the retina, which are generated using scattered light waves.; Each participant in this study will undergo a single Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a scanning technique for creating detailed images of the human body. The scan uses a magnetic field and radio waves to generate images of the brain.; Each participant in this study will undergo a single Positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the brain. PET is a nuclear medicine functional imaging technique that is used to observe metabolic processes in the brain as an aid to the diagnosis of disease using the combination of a radioactive tracer, camera, and a computer.; Each participant in this study will receive one comprehensive eye examination which will be performed by a licensed ophthalmologist at the University of Michigan. This examination will include the assessment of the participant's visual acuity, a slit lamp examination which will look at the anterior and posterior tissues of the eye including the retina using various lights and lenses, and intraocular pressures.; Each participant in this study will undergo fundus photography of each eye. Fundus photography involves the use of a retinal camera coupled with a low power microscope to capture photographs of the retina.
Other intervention name(s): Imaging of the Eye; Comprehensive Eye Examination; Photography of the Eye
Observational model: Case-Control
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Patients are recruited with mid-to-late stage AD and FTD, as well as age-matched healthy
        controls, using the extensive database of research participants maintained by the Michigan
        Alzheimer's Disease Center (MADC).
      
Keywords: FTD; Dementia; Retina