Correlation between Retinal Vascularization and Disease Aggressiveness in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Gilda Cennamo,
Daniela Montorio,
Francesco Pio Ausiello,
Luigifilippo Magno,
Rosa Iodice,
Alberto Mazzucco,
Valentina Virginia Iuzzolino,
Gianmaria Senerchia,
Vincenzo Brescia Morra,
Maria Nolano,
Ciro Costagliola,
Raffaele Dubbioso
Affiliations
Gilda Cennamo
Eye Clinic, Public Health Department, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Daniela Montorio
Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Francesco Pio Ausiello
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Luigifilippo Magno
Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Rosa Iodice
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Alberto Mazzucco
Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Valentina Virginia Iuzzolino
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Gianmaria Senerchia
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Vincenzo Brescia Morra
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Maria Nolano
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Ciro Costagliola
Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Raffaele Dubbioso
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Abnormalities in retinal vascularization and neural density have been found in many neurodegenerative diseases; however, conflicting results are described in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The aim of the present study was, therefore, to systematically analyze retinal layers and vascularization by means of spectral-domain (SD-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in ALS patients. We enrolled 48 ALS patients and 45 healthy controls. ALS patients were divided into three groups: slow progressors (n = 10), intermediate progressors (n = 24) and fast progressors (n = 14), according to the disease progression rate. For SD-OCT, we evaluated the Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). Regarding the OCT-A, we assessed the vessel density (VD) in superficial and deep capillary plexuses, radial peripapillary capillary plexus, choriocapillary and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area. SD-OCT exam did not show any significant differences in GCC and RNFL thickness between patients and controls and among the three ALS groups. The SFCT was statistically greater in patients compared with controls (357.95 ± 55.15 µm vs. 301.3 ± 55.80 µm, p p p = 0.024). This study demonstrated the possible association between choroidal thickness and disease activity in ALS. OCT could be a useful biomarker in the management of the disease.
