The crosstalk between beta‐amyloid, retina, and sleep for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: A mini review

Background Retinal imaging has the potential to be used as an early diagnostic tool in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, direct visualisation of AD related hallmark proteins in the live human retina is challenging and may require the inclusion of additional factors to be effective. This mini review gathers evidence to understand the associations and underlying mechanisms between beta‐amyloid (Aβ, a hallmark feature found in the AD brain), the retina and sleep as collectively they would enhance the diagnostic accuracy of the retinal markers in AD. Method Retinal imaging has the potential to be used as an early diagnostic tool in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, direct visualisation of AD related hallmark proteins in the live human retina is challenging and may require the inclusion of additional factors to be effective. This mini review gathers evidence to understand the associations and underlying mechanisms between beta‐amyloid (Aβ, a hallmark feature found in the AD brain), the retina and sleep as collectively they would enhance the diagnostic accuracy of the retinal markers in AD. Result Retinal imaging has the potential to be used as an early diagnostic tool in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, direct visualisation of AD related hallmark proteins in the live human retina is challenging and may require the inclusion of additional factors to be effective. This mini review gathers evidence to understand the associations and underlying mechanisms between beta‐amyloid (Aβ, a hallmark feature found in the AD brain), the retina and sleep as collectively they would enhance the diagnostic accuracy of the retinal markers in AD. Conclusion There is mounting evidence that the coupling of chronobiological information such as circadian rhythm dysfunction and sleep deficiency to retinal biomarker changes will increase the potential utility of retinal imaging in early AD diagnosis.