You are viewing a javascript disabled version of the site. Please enable Javascript for this site to function properly.
Go to headerGo to navigationGo to searchGo to contentsGo to footer
In content section. Select this link to jump to navigation

Macular Pigment, Visual Function, and Macular Disease among Subjects with Alzheimer's Disease: An Exploratory Study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nolan, John M.a; * | Loskutova, Ekaterinaa | Howard, Alan N.b; c | Moran, Rachela | Mulcahy, Rionad | Stack, Jima | Bolger, Maggied | Dennison, Jessicaa | Akuffo, Kwadwo Owusua | Owens, Niamha | Thurnham, David I.e | Beatty, Stephena

Affiliations: [a] Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland | [b] Howard Foundation Cambridge, UK | [c] Downing College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK | [d] Waterford Regional Hospital, Age-Related Care Unit, Waterford, Ireland | [e] Northern Ireland, Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: John Nolan, Macular Pigment Research Group, Vision Research Centre, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland. Tel.: +353 51 834074; E-mail: [email protected].

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive function, contrast sensitivity, lutein, meso-zeaxanthin, visual function, zeaxanthin

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140507

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 1191-1202, 2014

Accepted 2 May 2014
|
Published: 10 October 2014
Get PDF open access

Abstract

Background:

The macula (central retina) contains a yellow pigment, comprising the dietary carotenoids lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso-zeaxanthin, known as macular pigment (MP). The concentrations of MP’s constituent carotenoids in retina and brain tissue correlate, and there is a biologically-plausible rationale, supported by emerging evidence, that MP’s constituent carotenoids are also important for cognitive function.

Objective:

To investigate if patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are comparable to controls in terms of MP and visual function.

Methods:

36 patients with moderate AD and 33 controls with the same age range participated. MP was measured using dual-wavelength autofluorescence (Heidelberg Spectralis®); cognitive function was assessed using a battery of cognition tests (including Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery). Visual function was recorded by measuring best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity (CS). Serum L and Z concentrations (by HPLC) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD, by retinal examination) status were also assessed.

Results:

In the AD group, central MP (i.e., at 0.23°) and MP volume were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001 for both), as were measures of BCVA, CS, and serum L and Z concentrations (p < 0.05, for all).

Conclusion:

AD patients were observed to exhibit significantly less MP, lower serum concentrations of L and Z, poorer vision, and a higher occurrence of AMD when compared to control subjects. A clinical trial in AD patients designed to investigate the impact of macular carotenoid supplementation with respect to MP, visual function, and cognitive function is merited.

Show more