Naslov
Structural retinal changes in schizophrenia

Autori
Kaštelan, Snježana ; Bakija, Ivana ; Bogadi, Marija ; Orešković, Ivana ; Gotovac, Marta ; Bišćan, Filip ; Čerfalvi, Iris ; Gverović Antunica, Antonela

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Mind & brain : abstract book 2021 / - Pula, 2021, 56-56

Skup
60th International neuropsychiatric congress Mind & brain

Mjesto i datum
Online, 27.05.2021. - 30.05.2021

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
schizophrenia ; structural retinal changes ; biomarker ; OCT

Sažetak
Schizophrenia occurs in approximately 0.5%-1% of the population. Due to its chronic course and relapsing episodes it is among the ten leading causes of human disability and has a significant impact on social and health costs. It is typically present in late-adolescence with pronounced cognitive deficits, functional impairments and psychotic or manic symptoms. Various genetic, infectious, immunological, and environmental factors are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, with neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative with neurotransmitter hypotheses being proposed. It is characterized by a great variability of symptoms, unpredictable course of the disease and insufficiently clarified aetiology. Detection of measurable and reproducible biological indicators of the clinical signs and course of the disease may be important to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism and facilitate in monitoring the disease. The retina, as the only component of the central nervous system that can be seen directly in live humans provides the opportunity for an accessible and non-invasive analysis of brain pathology in neuropsychiatric disorders. Non- invasive retinal imaging technology such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) has made it possible to determine potential biomarkers of neural tissue structure changes and disorder progression. OCT is such a method, provides an in vivo cross-sectional image of the retina and allows quantitative measurements of retinal and macular thickness, including single-layer analysis. Since the retinal nerve fibre layer comprises the first axons of the visual pathway and is unmyelinated, it can be considered as a unique anatomical model, which may provide insight into the pathophysiological processes of neurodegenerative brain diseases. Several studies have reported various retinal abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia. The most consistent retinal findings being recognised using OCT and OCT angiography include reduced macular volume, thinning of retinal nerve fibre layer and widened venule calibre. Morphological and functional examination of the retina may be a valuable supplementary method, which will help enhance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms involved in schizophrenia and their possible associations with clinical symptoms. Observed retinal changes may become predictive, diagnostic, therapeutic, preventative or prophylactic biomarkers in schizophrenia. This will contribute to better diagnosis, improved individualized treatment of this serious mental disorder and reduce the stigma associated with this disease.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

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