# Novel Glaucoma Diagnostics for Structure and Function  - Renewal - 1

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $299,601

## Abstract

Project Abstract
 Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that is relentlessly progressive and
has no cure. Treatment agents may slow the progress of this disease. If successful, this program could enable
early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) through ocular imaging, which could
in turn permit treatment at much early stages of the disease, potentially postponing or even avoiding the dire
consequences of advanced dementia. The overarching goal of this proposal is to improve the ability to detect
AD and MCI. We will accomplish this using novel imaging technology that provides in-vivo, noninvasive
indicators of tissue functionality.
 In Specific Aim 1, we will map the diagnostic and monitoring performances of commonly used Optical
Coherence Tomography (OCT) parameters throughout the spectrum of AD and MCI severity. Our goal is to
identify the most useful parameters at each stage of the disease. While many studies have shown the ability to
detect AD using OCT, we suggest considering not only actual tissue thickness or visual field (VF) findings (which
are subject to high variability) but also their interaction, even when measurements are within the supposedly
normal range. A few studies suggest that structural information acquired with OCT of the optic nerve head
(ONH) and macular regions provides sensitive tools for detecting AD. We will test global and localized
measurements from the ONH, peripapillary, and macula regions, as well as new parameters such as pre-laminar
volume, vessel density and volumetric analysis of the lamina cribrosa (LC).
 In Specific Aim 2, we employ a cutting-edge OCT technology - visible light (Vis-) OCT. Unlike conventional
OCT technologies that use near infrared light sources, Vis-OCT utilizes a wide bandwidth light source, providing
finer resolution than 1µm. Most importantly, exploiting the light absorption characteristic of oxygenated and
deoxygenated hemoglobin in this wavelength range enables quantification of sO2 in retinal vessels. We will
investigate the performance and applicable range of retinal oximetry measurements within AD and MCI. This will
add an important objective, quantitative functional biomarker to clinical AD and MCI detection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10123828
- **Project number:** 3R01EY013178-21S1
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Joel S Schuman
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $299,601
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2000-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10123828

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10123828, Novel Glaucoma Diagnostics for Structure and Function  - Renewal - 1 (3R01EY013178-21S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10123828. Licensed CC0.

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