Curcumin may protect from focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury as well as stimulate neurogenesis by activating the Notch signaling pathway.

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the microvascular and structural changes in the macular that occur in white matter hyperintensities (WMH) using optical coherence tomographic angiography. We also aimed to explore the association between macular microvascular and structural changes with focal markers of brain tissue on MRI in WMH using the Fazekas scale. Methods: This study enrolled healthy participants who were stroke- and dementia-free. MRI was used to image the cerebral white matter lesions, and Fazekas scale was used to evaluate the severity of the white matter lesions. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) was used to image the radial peripapillary capillaries (RPCs), macular capillary plexuses [superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP)] and thickness around the optic nerve head, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL). Results: Seventy-four participants were enrolled and divided into two groups according to their Fazekas score (Fazekas scores ≤ 1 and ≥2). Participants with Fazekas score ≥2 showed significantly reduced RPC density ( P = 0.02) and DCP density ( P = 0.012) when compared with participants with Fazekas score ≤ 1. Participants with Fazekas score ≥2 showed reduced pRNFL ( P = 0.004) when compared to participants with Fazekas score ≤ 1. Fazekas scores were significantly associated with the pRNFL thickness (Rho = −0.389, P = 0.001), RPC density (Rho = −0.248, P = 0.035), and DCP density (Rho = −0.283, P = 0.015), respectively. Conclusions: Microvascular impairment and neuro-axonal damage are associated with the disease cascade in WMH. We have shown that RPC and DCP densities are significantly affected, and these impairments are associated with the severity of the disease and cognitive function. OCT-A could be a useful tool in quantifying the retinal capillary densities in WMH.

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Purpose:To investigate the association of specific retinal sublayer thicknesses on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers using the Fazekas scale in hypertensive white matter hyperintensity (WMH) subjects.Methods: Eighty-eight participants (32 healthy controls and 56 hypertensive white matter hyperintensity subjects) underwent retinal imaging using the OCT and MRI.A custom-built algorithm was used to measure the thicknesses of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer (GCIP). Focal markers for white matter hyperintensities were assessed on MRI and graded using the Fazekas visual rating. Results:Hypertensive WMH showed significantly reduced (p < .05) RNFL and GCIP layers when compared to healthy controls, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the RNFL (ρ = −.246, p < .001) and GCIP (ρ = −.338, p < .001) of the total participants and the Fazekas score, respectively. Statistical differences were still significant (p < .05) when correlations were adjusted for intereye correlation, age, hypertension, smoking, body mass index, and diabetes. Among the cases of hypertensive WMH, higher Fazekas scores were significantly associated (p < .05) with the thinning of both the RNFL and GCIP layers after adjustment of age and other risk factors. Conclusions:Retinal degeneration in the RNFL and GCIP was independently associated with focal lesions in the white matter of the brain and deteriorates with the severity of the lesions. We suggest that imaging and measurement of the retinal sublayers using the OCT may provide evidence on neurodegeneration in WMH. K E Y W O R D SFazekas scale, retina, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, white matter hyperintensity How to cite this article: Qu M, Kwapong WR, Peng C, et al.Retinal sublayer defect is independently associated with the severity of hypertensive white matter hyperintensity. Brain