A software based on artificial intelligence (AI), which was developed by researchers enables the precise assessment of the progression of geographic atrophy (GA), a disease of the light sensitive retina caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This innovative approach permits the fully automated measurement of the main atrophic lesions using data from optical coherence tomography, which provides three-dimensional visualization of the structure of the retina.
In addition, the research team can precisely determine the integrity of light sensitive cells of the entire central retina and also detect progressive degenerative changes of the so-called photoreceptors beyond the main lesions. The findings will be used to assess the effectiveness of new innovative therapeutic approaches. The study has now been published in the journal "JAMA Ophthalmology".
There is no effective treatment for geographic atrophy, one of the most common causes of blindness in industrialized nations. The disease damages cells of the retina and causes them to die. The main lesions, areas of degenerated retina, also known as "geographic atrophy", expand as the disease progresses and result in blind spots in the affected person's visual field.
A major challenge for evaluating therapies is that these lesions progress slowly, which means that intervention studies require a long follow-up period. "When evaluating therapeutic approaches, we have so far concentrated primarily on the main lesions of the disease. However, in addition to central visual field loss, patients also suffer from symptoms such as a reduced light sensitivity in the surrounding retina," explains the seniopr author. "Preserving the microstructure of the retina outside the main lesions would therefore already be an important achievement, which could be used to verify the effectiveness of future therapeutic approaches."
The researchers were furthermore able to show that the integrity of light sensitive cells outside areas of geographic atrophy is a predictor of the future progression of the disease. "It may therefore be possible to slow down the progression of the main atrophic lesions by using therapeutic approaches that protect the surrounding light sensitive cells," says another author.
"Research in ophthalmology is increasingly data-driven. The fully automated, precise analysis of the finest, microstructural changes in optical coherence tomography data using AI represents an important step towards personalized medicine for patients with age-related macular degeneration," explains lead author. "It would also be useful to re-evaluate older treatment studies with the new methods in order to assess possible effects on photoreceptor integrity."
https://www.uni-bonn.de/news/173-2020
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2769185
Artificial intelligence recognizes deteriorating photoreceptors
- 733 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Targeting bone marrow adipo…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Jul
Mapping the biology of spin…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Jul
Liver biopsy to predict pan…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Jul
Significant differences in…
By newseditor
Posted 02 Jul
Serotonin 2C receptor regul…
By newseditor
Posted 02 Jul
Other Top Stories
Regulating mitochondrial fission!
Read more
How the brain tries to control blood loss
Read more
Why do we lose muscle mass when physical activity levels decline?
Read more
Brain's striatal neurons that help with decision-making
Read more
Assessing the invasive and metastatic potential of cancer cells fro…
Read more
Protocols
Monitoring norepinephrine r…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Jul
BicemuS: A new tool for neu…
By newseditor
Posted 26 Jun
Deciphering spatial domains…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Jun
High-throughput volumetric…
By newseditor
Posted 21 Jun
Bioengineered human colon o…
By newseditor
Posted 14 Jun
Publications
Targeting adipocyte ESRRA p…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Jul
Stress-induced TDP-43 nucle…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Jul
Unraveling host regulation…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Jul
Propionic acid promotes neu…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Jul
Association of genetic risk…
By newseditor
Posted 03 Jul
Presentations
Myelin plasticity in the ve…
By newseditor
Posted 10 Jun
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar