The retina has been gaining research interest as the “window to the brain” and a potential site of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. As part of the central nervous system, the retina shares the embryonic origin and complex cellular similarities and dissimilarities with the brain. Studying the retinal manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases that are often considered only as brain disorders can bring unique insights about the disease mechanisms and potential treatments. Clinically, the recent advances in high-quality non-invasive in vivo retinal imaging, large databases of retinal images, and AI methods are promising for developing retinal image-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases that can supplement neuroimaging in an accessible and cost-effective manner.
Challenges remain however, as the pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases are often obscure, with heterogenous presentations, and the differences between the retina and brain including naturally occurring retinal neurodegenerations can confound the retinal biomarkers of brain neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the Research Topic is to provide an overview of current efforts towards understanding the retina in neurodegenerative diseases and to highlight new developments and discoveries that advance the goal of clinical retinal biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases.
We welcome original research articles, full-review articles, or mini-review articles on preclinical and clinical studies that shed light on the complex and nuanced relationship between the retina and brain in neurodegeneration, on screening and early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases through the retina, and development of therapeutic approaches where retinal imaging can be effectively used to assess the efficacy of the treatment.
The retina has been gaining research interest as the “window to the brain” and a potential site of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. As part of the central nervous system, the retina shares the embryonic origin and complex cellular similarities and dissimilarities with the brain. Studying the retinal manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases that are often considered only as brain disorders can bring unique insights about the disease mechanisms and potential treatments. Clinically, the recent advances in high-quality non-invasive in vivo retinal imaging, large databases of retinal images, and AI methods are promising for developing retinal image-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases that can supplement neuroimaging in an accessible and cost-effective manner.
Challenges remain however, as the pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases are often obscure, with heterogenous presentations, and the differences between the retina and brain including naturally occurring retinal neurodegenerations can confound the retinal biomarkers of brain neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the Research Topic is to provide an overview of current efforts towards understanding the retina in neurodegenerative diseases and to highlight new developments and discoveries that advance the goal of clinical retinal biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases.
We welcome original research articles, full-review articles, or mini-review articles on preclinical and clinical studies that shed light on the complex and nuanced relationship between the retina and brain in neurodegeneration, on screening and early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases through the retina, and development of therapeutic approaches where retinal imaging can be effectively used to assess the efficacy of the treatment.
