Retinal vascular density in CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Retinal vascular density (VD) measured using optical coherence tomography with angiography (OCTA) has been suggested as a potential marker of intracerebral vascular changes in Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

We aimed to determine whether VD is related to the clinical and imaging manifestations of the disease.

METHODS: OCTA was performed in 104 CADASIL patients (parallel to their clinical and imaging assessment) and in 83 healthy individuals.

RESULTS: A significant reduction of VD related to age was detected in patients and controls in the superficial and deep vascular plexus of the whole foveal or parafoveal retinal area (p<0.0001).

After adjustment for age, these parameters were found significantly lower in patients than in controls (p<0.03).

Multivariable analysis did not show any association between retinal VD and history of stroke, modified Rankin Scale or Mini-Mental Status Examination scores.

No significant association was found with MRI lesions either.

CONCLUSION: In CADASIL, retinal VD is decreased early and progresses with ageing but does not appear related to the severity of clinical or imaging manifestations.