Association of retinal microvascular abnormalities and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with optical coherence tomography angiography

Guo, Jiaqi1,2; Zhang, Dan3; Gong, Yan4; Liu, Jiang5; Zhang, Jiong1,4; Zhao, Yitian1,4

2023-06-09

10.3389/fnins.2023.1194661

FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE   影响因子和分区

1662-453X

IntroductionNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are autoimmune central nervous system diseases characterized by the immune system's abnormal attack on glial cells and neurons. Optic neuritis (ON) is one of the indicators of NMOSD, often starting unilaterally and potentially affecting both eyes later in the disease progression, leading to visual impairment. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has the potential to aid in the early diagnosis of NMOSD by examining ophthalmic imaging and may offer a window for disease prevention. MethodsIn this study, we collected OCTA images from 22 NMOSD patients (44 images) and 25 healthy individuals (50 images) to investigate retinal microvascular changes in NMOSD. We employed effective retinal microvascular segmentation and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) segmentation techniques to extract key OCTA structures for biomarker analysis. A total of 12 microvascular features were extracted using specifically designed methods based on the segmentation results. The OCTA images of NMOSD patients were classified into two groups: optic neuritis (ON) and non-optic neuritis (non-ON). Each group was compared separately with a healthy control (HC) group. ResultsStatistical analysis revealed that the non-ON group displayed shape changes in the deep layer of the retina, specifically in the FAZ. However, there were no significant microvascular differences between the non-ON group and the HC group. In contrast, the ON group exhibited microvascular degeneration in both superficial and deep retinal layers. Sub-regional analysis revealed that pathological variations predominantly occurred on the side affected by ON, particularly within the internal ring near the FAZ. DiscussionThe findings of this study highlight the potential of OCTA in evaluating retinal microvascular changes associated with NMOSD. The shape alterations observed in the FAZ of the non-ON group suggest localized vascular abnormalities. In the ON group, microvascular degeneration in both superficial and deep retinal layers indicates more extensive vascular damage. Sub-regional analysis further emphasizes the impact of optic neuritis on pathological variations, particularly near the FAZ's internal ring. ConclusionThis study provides insights into the retinal microvascular changes associated with NMOSD using OCTA imaging. The identified biomarkers and observed alterations may contribute to the early diagnosis and monitoring of NMOSD, potentially offering a time window for intervention and prevention of disease progression.

OCTA retinal microvascular neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders deep learning segmentation

SCI

英语

其他

Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation["LQ23F010002","LR22F020008","LZ19F010001"] ; Ningbo Natural Science Foundation["2022J143","20221JCGY010608"] ; Scientific Research Program of Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education[Y202250360] ; Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS[2021298] ; Research Startup Fund of Ningbo University of Technology[2022KQ29] ; Samp;T Megaprojects["2019B10033","2019B10061","2021Z054"]

Neurosciences & Neurology

Neurosciences

WOS:001016196300001

FRONTIERS MEDIA SA

Web of Science

1.Chinese Acad Sci, Cixi Inst Biomed Engn, Ningbo Inst Mat Technol & Engn, Ningbo, Peoples R China
2.Univ Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing, Peoples R China
3.Ningbo Univ Technol, Sch Cyber Sci & Engn, Ningbo, Peoples R China
4.Wenzhou Med Univ, Affiliated Ningbo Eye Hosp, Ningbo, Peoples R China
5.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Comp Sci & Engn, Shenzhen, Peoples R China

Guo, Jiaqi,Zhang, Dan,Gong, Yan,et al. Association of retinal microvascular abnormalities and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with optical coherence tomography angiography[J]. FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE,2023,17.

Guo, Jiaqi,Zhang, Dan,Gong, Yan,Liu, Jiang,Zhang, Jiong,&Zhao, Yitian.(2023).Association of retinal microvascular abnormalities and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with optical coherence tomography angiography.FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE,17.

Guo, Jiaqi,et al."Association of retinal microvascular abnormalities and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with optical coherence tomography angiography".FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE 17(2023).