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Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications of diabetes, and its association with cognitive dysfunctions is becoming an increasingly frequent research interest. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) encompasses early changes at the microvascular level, which can be detected quantitatively and qualitatively through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) well before the first symptoms of this disease appear. Cognitive dysfunction is often unrecognized in the early stages of diabetes. This research will focus on examining the association between OCTA parameters and cognitive functions in patients with NPDR. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between OCTA parameters and cognitive functions in patients with NPDR using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale to assess cognitive abilities and to establish a connection between OCTA biomarkers and changes in cognitive function. Patients with type 2 diabetes will be included in the study. Patients with proliferations and diabetic macular edema affecting the center and reducing visual acuity will be excluded to minimize error in cognitive function assessment caused by vision impairment. OCTA will be used to analyze microvascular changes in the retina, including capillary density and areas of the avascular zone. At the same time, the MoCA scale will be used to assess cognitive function, focusing on aspects of memory, attention, executive function, and orientation. Data analysis will investigate correlations between OCTA parameters, the presence of diabetic retinopathy-related changes in the eye fundus, as well as the stage of retinopathy and MoCA scale scores, taking into account factors such as diabetes duration, previous diabetes treatment, lipid status, anthropometric parameters, and glycemic control. The results of this research are expected to provide better insight into the early diagnosis of cognitive dysfunctions in patients with diabetes, thereby contributing to the development of targeted interventions.
Full description
OCTA represents a potential alternative for early detection of vascular abnormalities. OCTA algorithms generate an image, most commonly sized 3x3 mm or 6x6 mm, which is conventionally segmented into four zones: superficial retinal plexus, deep retinal plexus, outer retina, and choriocapillaris. OCTA enables monitoring of retinal vascular changes over time and allows early detection of microcirculatory abnormalities.
Cognition is the process by which the human brain receives information from the external environment, processes it, and transforms it into internal psychological activities for acquiring or applying knowledge. It includes memory, language, visuospatial skills, executive function, calculation, comprehension, and judgment. Various cognitive function tests have been developed through years of research. The most commonly used screening test for general cognitive function is the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while a more recent and sensitive tool is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The MoCA test includes assessments of executive functions, high-level language abilities, and complex visuospatial tasks, making it suitable for detecting even mild cognitive dysfunction. Although these tests can assess a patient's cognitive level, they cannot confirm the presence of cerebral microvascular disease.
Numerous studies suggest a link between diabetes mellitus and cognitive impairment. While cognitive decline is not specific to diabetes, it is now recognized as a complication of the disease. In studies involving older populations, patients with diabetes demonstrated a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Since diabetes affects the entire vascular system, it is assumed that changes in the retinal microvasculature may reflect the general vascular condition of the body, including changes in the brain. Studies have shown that patients with advanced stages of DR often exhibit reduced cerebral blood flow, further contributing to cognitive decline.
Research also suggests that early interventional treatments, such as improved glycemic control and therapies aimed at enhancing vascular function, could reduce the risk of cognitive deterioration. There is growing evidence that changes in the retinal microvascular structure may reflect similar alterations in cerebral vascular structures, given that the retina and brain share common embryological and anatomical characteristics.
This study differs from previous ones as it focuses exclusively on the early stages of NPDR, including patients with diabetes who show no detectable changes on fundoscopy. This minimizes the risk of errors on the MoCA scale, since patients with reduced visual acuity due to macular edema or proliferative changes may score falsely low, leading to inaccurate assessments of their cognitive function.
Moreover, the MoCA scale used in this study is more comprehensive, providing a detailed evaluation of cognitive function, unlike previous studies which often used shorter tests or focused on isolated cognitive domains. The results of this research will define the specific OCTA parameters associated with cognitive function, making them potential biomarkers for detecting both ophthalmological and neurological disorders in diabetic patients.
Aim
Working hypothesis:
Patients with diabetic retinopathy exhibit reduced cognitive function compared to patients without diabetic retinopathy. An increase in macular ischemia leads to a decline in cognitive function.
A prospective cross-sectional clinical study will be conducted at the General Hospital "Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš" and the private ophthalmology clinic "Dr. Sefić" in Sarajevo, from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026, or until the target number of participants is reached. Approval from the Ethics Committee for conducting the study was obtained on January 9, 2025 (Reference No. 26-213-114/25). A total of 210 participants will be included in the study, who will be divided into three groups of 70 based on clinical, laboratory, and ophthalmological indicators:
Each participant will be fully informed about the study and allowed to ask additional questions. Participation will be confirmed by signing an informed consent form, which clearly outlines the study details. The study will adhere to the principles of the Nuremberg Code, the latest revision of the Declaration of Helsinki, the Law on Health Protection ("Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina," No. 46/10), and the Law on the Rights, Duties, and Responsibilities of Patients ("Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina," No. 40/10). Data will be collected in accordance with ethical principles, ensuring participant privacy and data confidentiality. The data obtained will be used solely for this research. Ethical approval was requested from the Ethics Committee of the General Hospital "Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš" in Sarajevo.
Participants will first complete the MoCA test, version 7.1, translated into Croatian. The MoCA test is a widely used screening tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment and early signs of dementia. It can help identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease and screen for conditions such as Parkinson's disease or the effects of brain tumors. MoCA is a simple tool that quickly assesses cognitive impairment, including the ability to understand, reason, and remember.
The test consists of 14 different tasks with a maximum total score of 30 points. During the test, patients will be given instructions for each task, with an explanation of the test duration and purpose. The test lasts 10-12 minutes and assesses seven areas of cognitive function:
The total possible score is 30 points. If a person has 12 or fewer years of formal education, 1 point is added to the total score. After completing the test, the total score and individual section scores will be calculated for each participant.
Test results are interpreted as follows:
The ophthalmological examination will include:
OCTA is a fast, non-invasive, and contactless imaging technique that enables detailed visualization of the retinal microvasculature by tracking erythrocyte movement within blood vessels in real time. It provides layer-by-layer analysis of the retina and choroid without the need for intravenous contrast, significantly reducing patient risk and improving accessibility. Increasing evidence suggests that neurodegenerative and vascular changes precede clinically visible signs of disease, making OCTA a valuable diagnostic tool for early detection of diabetic retinopathy before it can be confirmed through standard fundus examination. The OCTA device used will be the RTVue XR Avanti (Optovue, Inc., Fremont, California, USA).
The following quantitative OCTA biomarkers will be considered:
The expected scientific contribution of this research is the identification of an early correlation between retinal microvascular changes and cognitive decline in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is anticipated that these changes will be more pronounced in eyes showing signs of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, especially in its advanced stages. Such findings could enable timely ophthalmologic and neurologic interventions, thereby improving the quality of life for individuals with diabetes.
One of the key objectives of the study is to confirm the hypothesis that OCTA can serve as a non-invasive, quantitative biomarker for the early detection of cerebral vascular changes, reflected through microvascular alterations in the retina. In this way, OCTA could be positioned as a valuable tool for early identification of cognitive changes-potentially even before the appearance of classical neurological symptoms or findings on radiological imaging.
This research opens a new perspective in understanding the connection between ocular and cerebral vascular health and lays the foundation for future care models for diabetic patients, based on a multidisciplinary approach and early detection of the risk for cognitive decline.
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210 participants in 3 patient groups
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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
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