A novel retinal biomarker for Parkinson's disease: Quantifying the foveal pit with optical coherence tomography

Mov Disord. 2015 Oct;30(12):1692-5. doi: 10.1002/mds.26411. Epub 2015 Sep 4.

Abstract

Background: Optical coherence tomography offers a potential biomarker tool in Parkinson's disease (PD). A mathematical model quantifying symmetry, breadth, and depth of the fovea was applied.

Methods: Nintey-six subjects (72 PD and 24 healthy controls) were included in the study. Macular scans of each eye were obtained on two different optical coherence tomography devices: Cirrus and RTVue.

Results: The variables corresponding to the cardinal gradients of the fovea were the most sensitive indicators of PD for both devices. Principal component analysis distinguished 65% of PD patients from controls on Cirrus, 57% on RTVue.

Conclusion: Parkinson's disease shallows the superior/inferior and to a lesser degree nasal-temporal foveal slope. The symmetry, breadth, and depth model fits optical coherence tomography data derived from two different devices, and it is proposed as a diagnostic tool in PD.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; SBD model; foveal pit; optical coherence tomography; principal component analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Fovea Centralis / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Retina / pathology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence

Substances

  • Biomarkers