Week in review: Vitreous biomarkers of dementia, research in ophthalmic AI, deferral of high-dose aflibercept

A weekly roundup of ophthalmic news from around the web.

Certain vitreous humor biomarkers may indicate the presence of dementia, according to investigators who studied brain and eye specimens from 41 people with postmortem pathologic brain diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and/or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and 41 controls. Significantly higher vitreous total tau and phosphorylated tau levels were found in the AD and CTE groups than in both the control group and the group with AD + CTE. The low-stage CTE group also had elevated levels of neurofilament light chain. These findings led the authors to conclude that “Alterations of neurodegenerative proteins in the eye may reflect neuropathological changes in the brain and further support investigations into the eye’s potential role in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.” Journal of Alzheimer's Disease

New center for ophthalmic-based AI initiatives opens. The Center for Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence and Human Health at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, created in partnership with the school’s Windreich Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, recently opened its doors. The focus of the new center will be clinical innovation in AI-based diagnostic care for patients with ophthalmic diseases and conditions such as glaucoma, macular edema, and hypertensive retinopathy. Dr. James Tsai, inaugural director of the center, said that AI-guided analysis of retinal fundus photographs can also be used to predict cardiovascular health. “No other specialty in medicine allows such an unimpeded view and assessment of the cardiovascular and neurological systems,” Tsai added. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

For the moment, it’s a no-go for high-dose aflibercept. On June 27, 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Complete Response Letter regarding Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ application for aflibercept (Eylea) 8 mg for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, neovascular AMD, and diabetic macular edema, based on the FDA’s ongoing review of inspection findings at a third-party filler company. As of the above date, no additional clinical efficacy or safety data have been requested. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals