Curcumin-induced increased retinal fluorescence as a new method in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

Objective. To search for an effective method for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) of amnestic type using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy as a safe and widely available examination method. Material and methods. The study included 45 patients: 20 with AD, 10 with MCI, and 15 healthy control subjects. The patients were examined to visualize amyloid deposition in the retina using a solid lipid food curcumin ligand and a modified scanning laser ophthalmoscope, with a total of 63 observations since not all subjects were eligible for assessment of the retinas of both eyes. All patients underwent a neurological and ophthalmological examination, neuropsychological testing (MMSE, FCSRT, Clock Drawing test), brain MRI for visual assessment of atrophic changes (using global cortical atrophy scales, GCA and the medial temporal lobe atrophy, MTA), as well as confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy at two timepoints before and during curcumin administration. A semi-automated calculation of the area increase multiplicity (S) and the number (N) of particles with peak brightness (PPB) was performed. Results. In patients with AD, the following findings were obtained after taking curcumin: NPPB 167% [129; 258] (p=0.1) and SPPB 198% [148; 230] (p=0.007); MCI: NPPB 123% [114; 157] (p=0.15) and SPPB 129% [110; 140] (p=0.08). Conclusion. The results indicate an increased deposition of beta-amyloid protein in the retina in patients with AD and expand the possibilities of its early diagnosis.