Authors: Nolan, John M. | Loskutova, Ekaterina | Howard, Alan N. | Moran, Rachel | Mulcahy, Riona | Stack, Jim | Bolger, Maggie | Dennison, Jessica | Akuffo, Kwadwo Owusu | Owens, Niamh | Thurnham, David I. | Beatty, Stephen
Article Type:
Research Article
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
Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive function, contrast sensitivity, lutein, meso-zeaxanthin, visual function, zeaxanthin
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-140507
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease,
vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 1191-1202, 2014