Hanson, Rachel L W, Gale, Richard P, Gouws, André D et al. (10 more authors) (2019) Following the status of visual cortex over time in patients with macular degeneration reveals atrophy of visually deprived brain regions. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science. pp. 5045-5051. ISSN 0146-0404
Abstract
Purpose: Previous research has shown atrophy of visual cortex can occur in retinotopic representations of retinal lesions resulting from eye disease. However, the time course of atrophy cannot be established from these cross-sectional studies, which included patients with long-standing disease of varying severity. Our aim therefore was to measure visual cortical structure over time in participants after onset of unilateral visual loss resulting from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Inclusion criteria were onset of acute unilateral neovascular AMD with bilateral dry-AMD based on clinical examination. Therefore, substantial loss of unilateral visual input to cortex was relatively well-defined in time. Changes in cortical anatomy were assessed in the occipital lobe as a whole, and in cortical representations of the lesion and intact retina, the lesion and intact projection zones, respectively. Whole brain, T1-weighted MRI was taken at diagnosis (before anti-angiogenic treatment to stabilise the retina), during the 3-4-month initial treatment period, with a long-term follow-up ~5 (range 3.8 – 6.1 years) years later. Results: Significant cortical atrophy was detected at long-term follow-up only, with a reduction in mean cortical volume across the whole occipital lobe. Importantly, this reduction was explained by cortical thinning of the lesion projection zone, which suggests additional changes to those associated with normal ageing. Over the period of study, anti-angiogenic treatment stabilised visual acuity and central retinal thickness, suggesting that the atrophy detected was most likely governed by long-term decreased visual input. Conclusions: Our results indicate that consequences of eye disease on visual cortex are atrophic and retinotopic. Our work also raises the potential to follow the status of visual cortex in individuals over time to inform on how best to treat patients, particularly with restorative techniques.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | Copyright 2019 The Authors |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Psychology (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Hull York Medical School (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Health Sciences (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Psychology (York) > York Neuroimaging Centre |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 10 Dec 2019 11:40 |
Last Modified: | 21 Jan 2025 17:42 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.18-25823 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1167/iovs.18-25823 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:154424 |