Retinal microvasculature alterations are associated with mild behavioral impairment in Southeast Asian dementia‐free older adults
Yingqi Liao, Ming Ann Sim, Jiangbo Cui, Haoran Zhang, Saima Hilal, Eddie JY Chong, Anqi Toh, Boon Yeow Tan, Narayanaswamy Venketasubramanian, Arthur Mark Richards, Xin Xu, Yih Chung Tham, Christopher ChenAbstract
BACKGROUND
Mild behavioral impairment (MBI) is an important neurobehavioral marker of dementia. This study examined associations between retinal vascular measures, MBI, and its potential neurobiological correlates.
METHODS
Dementia‐free older adults from a memory clinic cohort were followed for up to 5 years. MBI was evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Retinal vessel caliber measures were quantified from fundus photographs. Associations of retinal vascular measures with neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease and plasma proteomic profiles were further explored.
RESULTS
Among 302 participants, reduced arteriole‐to‐venule ratio (AVR) and narrower arteriole caliber (central retinal artery equivalent) were associated with a greater likelihood of incident MBI. Lower AVR was associated with white matter hyperintensity volume and circulating proteins related to immune function and inflammatory processes.
CONCLUSION
Retinal microvascular alterations are associated with MBI in the pre‐dementia stage, with exploratory findings suggesting related vascular and inflammatory biological correlates that warrant further investigation.