In the field of dementia, profound insights have been gained into early identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. Biomarkers of dementia, pathological changes in the brain, blood, retinal and microbiome, appear decades before the onset of symptoms and provide a pivotal opportunity period for early diagnosis of cognitive disorders.
Biomarkers and Cognition Study, Singapore (BIOCIS) aims to characterize the underlying pathobiology of Cognitive Impairment through a 5-year longitudinal study incorporating fluid biomarker profiles, neuroimaging, neuropsychological, retinal information and clinical outcomes in a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian population. The result of first year's study was recently published in "The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease" (IF=6.4).
The current data highlighted differences in demographics, blood biomarker analyses, neuroimaging findings as well as neuropsychological and behavioral findings between cognitively normal (CN) and impaired participants. The cognitively impaired (CI) groups had higher means across all biomarkers in the blood biomarker analyses. Neuroimaging findings revealed increasing white matter disease and progressive atrophy in the hippocampus as diseased group progressed.
A 400kHz speed full-range swept-source OCTA (BMizar, TowardPi Medical) is used in this research. With the ability to get ultra-wide high resolution OCTA image within 15 seconds with comprehensive quantifications, it allows for detailed analysis of retinal layers and pathological changes.
Data collection is ongoing. Completion of BIOCIS longitudinal research aims to develop effective strategies for early identification and guide public healthcare and precision medicine for better patient outcomes in the prevention and treatment of dementia.
Biomarkers and Cognition Study, Singapore (BIOCIS) was initiated by Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, with the participation of Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from China and School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University. This article was authored by Dr. Yi Jin Leow, etc. team of Prof. Nagaendran Kandiah from Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine - Imperial College London, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Link to original text: https://link.springer.com/article/10.14283/jpad.2024.89#Sec9
