Retinal Imaging in Neurodegenerative Disease

This observational study is looking at how non-invasive eye scans, called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), OCT Angiography (OCTA), and ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus photography, can help us understand conditions like Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. These scans look at the tiny blood vessels and structures in the back of your eye (retina and choroid). Researchers believe changes in your eyes might show what's happening in your brain. They will measure changes in specific layers of your retina (GCIPL, RNFL, and CST) over one year. You can join if you are an adult with or without a neurodegenerative disease, as long as you can cooperate with the eye tests. The study aims to see if these eye scans can be a useful tool for early detection of these diseases.

Study design
This is an observational study with a planned enrollment of 2000 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would undergo non-invasive OCT, OCTA, and UWF fundus photography of your retina at the start of the study and again after one year.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for one year, with measurements taken at baseline and at the one-year mark.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT03233646

Retinal Imaging in Neurodegenerative Disease

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18+Observational
Duke University
~2,000 participants
Updated 2026-02-04 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Retinal and Choroidal Imaging

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness
Measured over Baseline, 1 year
+8 more outcomes measured
Alzheimer's Disease
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Parkinson's Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Huntington Disease
Lewy Body Dementia
Frontotemporal Dementia
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
APOE-4 Positive
Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussion
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Down Syndrome
Neuro-Degenerative Disease
Normal Cognition
1 sites across 1 states
North Carolina1
  • Sharon Fekrat, MD FACS FASRS · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Duke University
  • Dilraj Grewal, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Duke University

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adults with neurodegenerative disease ((MCI, PD, AD, FTD, DLB, ALS, MS, HD, TBI, concussion, PTSD and other neurodegenerations as well as Down Syndrome)
Adults without neurodegenerative disease

Exclusion

Inability to cooperate with or complete testing or other neurologic or age- related ocular conditions that would impact image acquisition.
Eyes that have had intraocular surgery, other than cataract surgery.
  • Change in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thicknessBaseline, 1 year

    Ganglion cell inner plexiform layer thickness as measured on optical coherence tomography scan of macula

  • Change in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknessBaseline, 1 year

    Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as measured on optical coherence tomography scan of macula

  • Change in central subfield thickness (CST)Baseline, 1 year

    Central subfield thickness as measured on optical coherence tomography scan of macula

  • Change in choroidal vascularity index (CVI)Baseline, 1 year

    Choroidal vascularity index as measured using the COIN software in 1500 um area centered on the fovea

  • Change in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areaBaseline, 1 year

    Foveal avascular zone area as measured in the superficial capillary plexus on 3mm optical coherence tomography angiography scan of the macula

  • Change in average perfusion density (PD)Baseline, 1 year

    Average perfusion density as measured in the ETDRS 3mm and 6mm circle and rings on optical coherence tomography angiography scan of the macula

  • Change in average vessel density (VD)Baseline, 1 year

    Average vessel density as measured in the ETDRS 3mm and 6mm circle and rings on optical coherence tomography angiography scan of the macula

  • Change in average capillary perfusion density (CPD)Baseline, 1 year

    Capillary perfusion density as measured on peripapillary 4.5mm optical coherence tomography angiography scan

  • Change in average capillary flux index (CFI)Baseline, 1 year

    Capillary flux index as measured on peripapillary 4.5mm optical coherence tomography angiography scan