# Novel retinal higher-order capillary hemodynamics imaging for detecting cerebral small vessel disease

> **NIH NIH OT2** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $1,590,022

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is thought to be among the most prevalent central nervous system
disorders and contributes significantly to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. However, our
understanding of the fundamental mechanisms is limited due to technical constraints hindering direct
examination of cerebral small vessel integrity. Currently, we rely on MRI scans to detect white matter
hyperintensities as a marker of CSVD, but this method lacks sensitivity and specificity. Although it is difficult
and expensive to use imaging tests on the brain, it may be possible to detect CSVD by imaging the eye,
specifically the retina. The retina and brain share similar anatomic and physiologic features, and retinal
changes can be easily detected. Our research aims to a novel imaging technique which will detect precise
changes in capillary function by tracking high-order hemodynamics in retinal capillaries. To achieve this, we
will develop a new high-speed wide-field adaptive optics near-confocal ophthalmoscope (AONCO) with a
green light capable of precisely assessing higher-order flow dynamics in retinal capillaries to detect and
monitor CSVD. Our research has three aims. In Aim 1, we will develop a new high-speed wide-field AONCO,
which is capable of precisely assessing higher-order flow dynamics in retinal vessels of various sizes, from
the largest arterioles to the smallest capillaries. In Aim 2, we will demonstrate AONCO-measured retinal
capillary pulsatile hemodynamics as a sensitive biomarker of CSVD. In Aim 3, we will develop a novel
machine learning (ML) approach for fully automatic analysis of flow dynamics in retinal vessels using
AONCO and compare the ML measurements to conventional measurements. Our research has the potential
to offer groundbreaking insights into microcirculation at the capillary level, providing crucial information about
the vascular health of the central nervous system. This is particularly important given the prevalence of small
vessel abnormalities and their impact on microvascular health, with significant implications for our
understanding of CSVD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11096192
- **Project number:** 1OT2OD038131-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Liang Liang
- **Activity code:** OT2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,590,022
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-15 → 2027-09-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11096192

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11096192, Novel retinal higher-order capillary hemodynamics imaging for detecting cerebral small vessel disease (1OT2OD038131-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11096192. Licensed CC0.

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