Frontotemporal dementia is a rare form of Alzheimer disease that changes personality and behavior before memory fades. Doctors need better ways to tell these conditions apart early on. A recent study looked at retinal scans to see if they could help. The researchers examined eye layers in 139 people with frontotemporal dementia and compared them to others with Alzheimer disease or mild cognitive impairment. They also included healthy controls in the comparison group. The total group had 29 people with mild cognitive impairment and 14 with TDP-43 proteinopathy. Five people had tauopathy. The team measured retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness using optical coherence tomography. This technology uses light to take detailed pictures of the eye. The results showed that the retinal nerve fiber layer was significantly thinner in individuals with frontotemporal dementia compared with Alzheimer disease. The ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer was also significantly thinner in those with frontotemporal dementia compared with controls. When the team pooled data across multiple retinal biomarkers, the differences were not significant. The study did not report any safety issues because no medications were tested. The authors noted that larger longitudinal studies with standardized protocols are needed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic utility of retinal biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of retinal biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer diseaseRetinal scans show thinner layers in frontotemporal dementia than Alzheimer disease
AI-generated summary of the cited source, checked by automated accuracy review. How we work
Key Takeaway
Consider that retinal thinning may differ between frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer disease, but evidence is preliminary.
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of retinal biomarkers measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography in individuals with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Alzheimer disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment, TDP-43 proteinopathy, tauopathy, and controls. The analysis included 139 individuals with FTD, 87 with AD, 29 with mild cognitive impairment, 14 with TDP-43 proteinopathy, 5 with tauopathy, and 255 controls.
The authors synthesized findings on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) thickness. For RNFL thickness, the meta-analysis found it was significantly thinner in individuals with FTD compared with AD, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.61 (95% CI -0.98, -0.24). For GCL-IPL thickness, it was significantly thinner in individuals with FTD compared with controls, with an SMD of -0.55 (95% CI -1.02, -0.08). Pooled analyses across multiple retinal biomarkers were non-significant (SMD -0.19, 95% CI -0.52, 0.14).
The authors acknowledge key limitations, including the need for larger longitudinal studies with standardized OCT/OCTA protocols to determine the diagnostic and prognostic utility of retinal biomarkers in FTD. Follow-up duration and safety data were not reported.
Practice relevance was not reported, and the findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence from a meta-analysis, not as a basis for clinical decision-making.
What this means for you:
Retinal scans show thinner layers in frontotemporal dementia than in Alzheimer disease or healthy controls. More on Alzheimer's Disease
Bibliometric analysis identifies growing research trends and key hubs for short-chain fatty acids in cognitive impairment
Mapping the Growing Research on Gut Health and Memory Loss Diseases
This systematic review provides a bibliometric analysis of 425 WoSCC and 514 Scopus records regarding short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and co…
Scientists are tracking how gut-related compounds might help brain health. This review maps out years of research into these important links…
EEG microstate duration and occurrence rates differ significantly between Alzheimer's patients and healthy controls
Brain wave patterns show differences in Alzheimer's and memory loss
This meta-analysis of 16 studies evaluated EEG microstate parameters in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment…
New analysis shows specific brain wave patterns change as memory fades, offering a new way to look at how the brain handles information.
Diabetes mellitus acts as a context-dependent modifier of risk and phenotype in neurological disorders
Diabetes May Influence Risk and Progress of Neurological Disorders
This narrative review synthesizes evidence regarding the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) as a disease modifier across various neurological co…
New research suggests that diabetes can change how certain neurological conditions progress, potentially opening doors for new treatment opt…
Acupuncture Boosts Cognition in Alzheimer's and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Meta-analysis shows acupuncture improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment
A meta-analysis of 3362 patients finds acupuncture, alone or with Western medicine, significantly improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's…
A large analysis of 3,362 patients suggests acupuncture may improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment,…
View Original Abstract ↓
Background: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) lacks widely accessible disease-specific biomarkers. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) may provide non-invasive measures of retinal changes associated with neurodegeneration. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating retinal biomarkers in FTD compared with Alzheimer disease (AD) and controls. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was conducted through April 25, 2026 according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies evaluating OCT/OCTA biomarkers in FTD with comparator groups were included. Inverse weighted random-effects models, publication bias assessments, and meta-regressions were performed. Results: Ten studies involving 139 individuals with FTD, 87 with AD, 29 with mild cognitive impairment, 14 with TDP-43 proteinopathy, 5 with tauopathy, and 255 controls were included in the systematic review; five studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Compared with AD, individuals with FTD demonstrated significantly thinner retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (SMD = -0.61, 95% CI -0.98, -0.24). Compared with controls, individuals with FTD exhibited significantly thinner ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) thickness (SMD = -0.55, 95% CI -1.02, -0.08), whereas pooled analyses across multiple retinal biomarkers were non-significant (SMD = -0.19, 95% CI -0.52, 0.14). RNFL thickness correlated negatively with female % in FTD and positively with age in both AD and controls. Conclusions: Individuals with FTD exhibit lower RNFL thickness than AD and lower GCL-IPL thickness than controls, suggesting retinal alterations may reflect neurodegeneration. However, larger longitudinal studies with standardized OCT/OCTA protocols are needed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic utility of retinal biomarkers in FTD
Intravenous tenecteplase improves functional outcomes but increases hemorrhage risk in non-large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke
Tenecteplase improves stroke recovery but increases bleeding risk in late treatment window
Related in Neurology
Low ADAMTS13 activity linked to ischemic stroke in meta-analysis of 8,993 patients
Low blood protein linked to higher stroke risk
This meta-analysis of 8,993 patients found that lower ADAMTS13 activity is associated with ischemic stroke (SMD -1.12; 95%CI -1.20 to -1.03)…
People with ischemic stroke have lower levels of a key blood protein. Could this be a new risk marker?
Maladaptive responses to chronic hypoxia at high altitude increase ischemic stroke risk through thrombogenesis
Understanding how high altitude environments impact the risk of stroke
This narrative review examines the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke in high-altitude populations exposed to chronic hypoxia and hypobaria.…
Living at high altitudes changes how the body handles low oxygen, which can lead to serious blood flow issues and stroke risks.
Bibliometric analysis identifies growing research trends and key hubs for short-chain fatty acids in cognitive impairment
Mapping the Growing Research on Gut Health and Memory Loss Diseases
This systematic review provides a bibliometric analysis of 425 WoSCC and 514 Scopus records regarding short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and co…
Scientists are tracking how gut-related compounds might help brain health. This review maps out years of research into these important links…
New consensus algorithm guides JAK inhibitor choice for alopecia areata
New treatment plan helps patients with hair loss condition
A guideline by expert dermatologists presents a consensus-based treatment algorithm for alopecia areata using SALT scores, quality-of-life i…
A new expert guide helps doctors choose the right medications for people and teens dealing with alopecia areata.
From Other Specialties
Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy increases lymph node stations examined and reduces hospital stay duration
Robotic surgery may help lung cancer patients stay in hospital less
This meta-analysis of 19,805 patients with early-stage NSCLC compares robotic-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy (RATS) to video-assisted …
A large review suggests robotic-assisted surgery for early-stage lung cancer can lead to more lymph node checks and shorter hospital stays.
Comparative Analysis of Robot Assisted and Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for Renal Tumors
Robot-assisted surgery shows fewer complications for certain kidney tumors
A meta-analysis of 6,202 patients suggests robot-assisted partial nephrectomy offers comparable oncologic outcomes with superior renal prese…
A large review suggests robot-assisted surgery may lead to less blood loss and better kidney function for patients with specific renal tumor…
Retroperitoneal approach in single-port robot-assisted partial nephrectomy may reduce blood loss and hospital stay
Retroperitoneal approach may offer benefits for kidney cancer surgery
This meta-analysis of 384 patients compares transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches for single-port robot-assisted partial nephrectom…
A new look at surgical methods suggests the retroperitoneal approach may reduce blood loss and hospital stays for patients with renal cancer…
First-line immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy improves progression-free survival and overall survival in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC
Immune checkpoint inhibitors improve survival for certain colorectal cancers
This meta-analysis of more than 600 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) involving microsatellite instability-high or mismatch …
New analysis shows immune checkpoint inhibitors offer better survival and fewer side effects than chemotherapy for specific types of metasta…