| Title: | A deep-learning retinal aging biomarker for cognitive decline and incident dementia |
| Journal: | Alzheimer's & Dementia |
| Published: | 5 Mar 2025 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40042460/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14601 |
| URL: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/11881618 |
Publication 16208
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The utility of retinal photography-derived aging biomarkers for predicting cognitive decline remains under-explored.</p>
METHODS: A memory-clinic cohort in Singapore was followed-up for 5 years. RetiPhenoAge, a retinal aging biomarker, was derived from retinal photographs using deep-learning. Using competing risk analysis, we determined the associations of RetiPhenoAge with cognitive decline and dementia, with the UK Biobank utilized as the replication cohort. The associations of RetiPhenoAge with MRI markers(cerebral small vessel disease [CSVD] and neurodegeneration) and its underlying plasma proteomic profile were evaluated.</p>
RESULTS: Of 510 memory-clinic subjects(N = 155 cognitive decline), RetiPhenoAge associated with incident cognitive decline (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.64, p = 0.004), and incident dementia (SHR 1.43, 95% CI 1.02-2.01, p = 0.036). In the UK Biobank (N = 33 495), RetiPhenoAge similarly predicted incident dementia (SHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.09-1.41, p = 0.008). RetiPhenoAge significantly associated with CSVD, brain atrophy, and plasma proteomic signatures related to aging.</p>
DISCUSSION: RetiPhenoAge may provide a non-invasive prognostic screening tool for cognitive decline and dementia.</p>
HIGHLIGHTS: RetiPhenoAge, a retinal aging marker, was studied in an Asian memory clinic cohort. Older RetiPhenoAge predicted future cognitive decline and incident dementia. It also linked to neuropathological markers, and plasma proteomic profiles of aging. UK Biobank replication found that RetiPhenoAge predicted 12-year incident dementia. Future studies should validate RetiPhenoAge as a prognostic biomarker for dementia.</p>
15 Keywords
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging
- Biomarkers
- Cognitive Dysfunction
- Cohort Studies
- Deep Learning
- Dementia
- Female
- Humans
- Incidence
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Male
- Retina
- Singapore
20 Authors
- Ming Ann Sim
- Yih Chung Tham
- Simon Nusinovici
- Ten Cheer Quek
- Marco Yu
- Can Can Xue
- Miao Li Chee
- Qing Sheng Peng
- Eugene S. J. Tan
- Siew Pang Chan
- Yuan Cai
- Eddie Jun Yi Chong
- Boon Yeow Tan
- Narayanaswamy Venketasubramanian
- Saima Hilal
- Mitchell K. P. Lai
- Hyungwon Choi
- Arthur Mark Richards
- Ching-Yu Cheng
- Christopher L. H. Chen
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health