Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in Huntington's disease

Neurol Sci. 2021 Mar;42(3):995-1001. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04611-2. Epub 2020 Jul 22.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the retinal and choriocapillaris vascular networks in macular region and the central choroidal thickness (CCT) in patients affected by Huntington disease (HD), using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain OCT (EDI SD-OCT).

Methods: We assessed the vessel density (VD) in superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris (CC) using OCTA, while CCT was measured by EDI SD-OCT.

Results: Sixteen HD patients (32 eyes) and thirteen healthy controls (26 eyes) were enrolled in this prospective study. No significant difference in retinal and choriocapillaris VD was found between HD patients and controls while CCT turned to be thinner in patients respect to controls. There were no significant relationships between OCTA findings and neurological parameters.

Conclusion: The changes in choroidal structure provide useful information regarding the possible neurovascular involvement in the physiopathology of HD. Choroidal vascular network could be a useful parameter to evaluate the vascular impairment that occurs in this neurodegenerative disease.

Keywords: Central choroidal thickness; Huntington disease; Optical coherence tomography angiography; Vessel density.

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease* / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retinal Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence