To assess intraocular pressure (IOP) in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and determine if AD-related amyloid pathology drives alterations in ocular pressure.
Approach:
Study Design: Ten young and fifteen aged 5xFAD transgenic mice were examined alongside age-matched wild type (WT) controls. IOP was measured repeatedly using a rebound tonometer across four sessions.
Measurement Sessions: IOP measurements were conducted on days 1, 36, 55, and 77 during midday hours to minimize circadian variability.
Key Findings:
IOP remained stable across most groups and time points.
Aged 5xFAD mice exhibited transient fluctuations in IOP, with a significant decrease at day 36 compared to baseline.
Age-matched WT mice showed no significant longitudinal changes in IOP.
The only significant difference in IOP was at day 36, where aged 5xFAD mice had lower IOP than aged WT controls.
Interpretation:
The findings indicate that amyloid-driven pathology in the 5xFAD model does not lead to chronic ocular hypertension.
Limitations:
The study involved a limited number of mice and did not include a broader age range.
The transient nature of IOP fluctuations may reflect physiological or measurement variability rather than a direct effect of AD pathology.
Conclusion:
The study indicates that 5xFAD mice did not exhibit sustained IOP elevation compared with WT controls.
