# Achieving specificity in imaging neurodegeneration with visible light Optical Coherence Tomography

> **NIH NIH OT2** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $1,599,999

## Abstract

Abstract:
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD)
have different underlying pathophysiological substrates. It follows, then, that these disorders may
affect the visual system in different ways. Structural and functional changes in the visual system
are critical to understanding and treating symptoms and impairments that impact quality of life.
Structure, as revealed by imaging of the retina, an outgrowth of the brain that is amenable to
direct visualization, can provide potential biomarkers to aid in the monitoring of disease
progression. Advances in in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging over the past few
decades have shown that eyes of patients with AD and PD have generalized thinning of inner
retinal layers associated with the ganglion cells, and microvascular changes. However, such
changes likely do not directly reflect the primary pathology across the spectrum of
neurodegenerative diseases.
Deciphering different manifestations of the ocular component to neurodegenerative disease
requires a clear step forward in the level of detail provided by approaches to image the retina. To
achieve this, we propose to develop and optimize the next generation of visible light optical
coherence tomography (OCT), with 1 micrometer depth resolution, and associated machine
learning tools, for imaging and quantifying ocular neurodegeneration. Our visible light OCT
instrument achieves 3-5x better resolution than commercial near-infrared OCT systems. The
improved resolution provides a uniquely stratified view of cellular architecture in the inner nuclear
layer (INL) and of synapses in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), potentially providing in vivo insights
into circuit- or cell-specific retinal changes that have been reported in both AD and PD.
Performing OCT in the visible light range is also significant because macular pigments, which are
associated with cognition, are detectable and quantifiable through novel approaches. In addition,
hyperspectral information in the visible light range purportedly detects protein deposits in the
retina. In fact, our preliminary results suggest the ability to both localize hyper-reflective features
in an amyloid AD mouse model and to decipher their hyperspectral signatures.
Guided by basic studies in mice that verify the relationship of imaging features to disease
pathophysiology, we will investigate the potential for visible light OCT measures and markers to
distinguish eyes of persons with MCI (AD) and PD, both between disorders and with comparison
to cognitively and neurologically normal controls of similar age. Based on the premise that
oculomics is enhanced by placing the eye in the context of the entire visual pathway, our research
plan, supported by our team’s expertise, will integrate advanced imaging with visual function
testing and quality of life measures.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11096252
- **Project number:** 1OT2OD038130-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** LAURA BALCER
- **Activity code:** OT2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,599,999
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-15 → 2027-09-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11096252

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11096252, Achieving specificity in imaging neurodegeneration with visible light Optical Coherence Tomography (1OT2OD038130-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11096252. Licensed CC0.

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