Inner retinal layer thickness reflects plasma biomarkers in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
By
Jane W. Chan
Ziyuan Wang
Emily Xu
Ibrahim Abboud
Aya Alhasany
Sophia Xu
Xiaomeng Wu
Natalie Astraea
Fei Jiang
Zhihong Jewel Hu
May 18, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Retinal Layer Thickness Correlates with Plasma Biomarkers in Individuals at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
Key Mechanisms Association of retinal layer thickness with plasma biomarkers indicating neurodegeneration and amyloidosis.
Target Population Cognitively normal adults at increased risk for AD, characterized by low plasma Aβ42/40 ratio.
Care Setting Research setting, specifically a brain aging cohort.
Key Highlights
Thinner inner nuclear layer (INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) correlate with higher levels of p-tau217 and GFAP. Study utilized spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for retinal measurements. Findings suggest potential for retinal imaging as a complementary tool to plasma biomarkers for early AD risk assessment. Exploratory pilot study with a small sample size (11 participants). Need for larger, longitudinal studies to validate preliminary findings.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Use of plasma biomarkers such as Aβ42/40, p-tau217, and GFAP for assessing AD risk.
Management
Consider retinal imaging as a non-invasive method for monitoring individuals at risk for AD.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Regular assessment of plasma biomarkers and retinal layer thickness in at-risk populations.
Risks
Potential for misclassification of cognitive status based on plasma biomarker cut-offs.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Cognitively normal adults with a pathological Aβ42/40 ratio indicating increased risk for AD.
Current study does not provide direct treatment recommendations; focuses on risk assessment.
Clinical Best Practices
Incorporate retinal imaging in the evaluation of individuals at risk for AD. Utilize a combination of plasma biomarkers and retinal measurements for comprehensive risk assessment.
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