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Retinal vascular fractal dimension is associated with cognitive dysfunction.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cheung, CY-L; Ong, S; Ikram, MK; Ong, YT; Chen, CP; Venketasubramanian, N; Wong, TY
Published in: J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis
January 2014

Fractal analysis is a method used to quantify the geometric branching complexity and density of retinal vessels. This study examined the relationship of retinal vascular fractal dimension and other retinal vascular parameters with cognitive dysfunction in an older Asian population. Subjects aged 60 years and older from the Singapore Malay Eye Study were selected for analysis. Retinal vascular fractal dimension (Df) and other quantitative retinal vascular parameters (branching angle, tortuosity, and caliber) were measured based on a standardized grading protocol from photographs of the retinal fundus using a computer-assisted program. Qualitative retinal signs were also assessed from photographs. Cognitive dysfunction was defined as a locally validated Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) score ≤6/10 in participants with 0-6 years of formal education and an AMT score ≤8/10 in those with more than 6 years of formal education. Cognitive dysfunction was identified in 262 of the 1202 participants (21.8%). Decreased retinal vascular Df was significantly associated with lower AMT score (P = .019). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, participants with lower retinal vascular Df values were more likely to have cognitive dysfunction (odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.82, comparing the lowest and highest Df quintiles). In subgroup analysis stratified for cardiovascular risk factors, this association was present in participants with hypertension and current smokers. Other retinal vascular signs were not associated with cognitive dysfunction. Decreased retinal vascular Df is associated with cognitive dysfunction in older persons. Rarefaction of the retinal vasculature may reflect similar changes in the cerebral microvasculature that may contribute to cognitive deterioration.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis

DOI

EISSN

1532-8511

Publication Date

January 2014

Volume

23

Issue

1

Start / End Page

43 / 50

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Retinal Vessels
  • Retinal Diseases
  • Regression Analysis
  • Population
  • Photography
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Middle Aged
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Cheung, C.-L., Ong, S., Ikram, M. K., Ong, Y. T., Chen, C. P., Venketasubramanian, N., & Wong, T. Y. (2014). Retinal vascular fractal dimension is associated with cognitive dysfunction. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, 23(1), 43–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2012.09.002
Cheung, Carol Yim-lui, ShinYeu Ong, M Kamran Ikram, Yi Ting Ong, Christopher P. Chen, N. Venketasubramanian, and Tien Yin Wong. “Retinal vascular fractal dimension is associated with cognitive dysfunction.J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 23, no. 1 (January 2014): 43–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2012.09.002.
Cheung CY-L, Ong S, Ikram MK, Ong YT, Chen CP, Venketasubramanian N, et al. Retinal vascular fractal dimension is associated with cognitive dysfunction. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 Jan;23(1):43–50.
Cheung, Carol Yim-lui, et al. “Retinal vascular fractal dimension is associated with cognitive dysfunction.J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, vol. 23, no. 1, Jan. 2014, pp. 43–50. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2012.09.002.
Cheung CY-L, Ong S, Ikram MK, Ong YT, Chen CP, Venketasubramanian N, Wong TY. Retinal vascular fractal dimension is associated with cognitive dysfunction. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 Jan;23(1):43–50.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis

DOI

EISSN

1532-8511

Publication Date

January 2014

Volume

23

Issue

1

Start / End Page

43 / 50

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Retinal Vessels
  • Retinal Diseases
  • Regression Analysis
  • Population
  • Photography
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Middle Aged