Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: To compare, between Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) patients and healthy individuals, corneal subbasal nerve plexus (CSNP) parameters and corneal sensitivities.
METHODS: Twenty-two patients who were followed up with Alzheimer\'s disease (Alzheimer\'s group) and 18 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals (control group) were included in this cross-sectional study. CSNP parameters, including nerve fiber length (NFL), nerve fiber density (NFD), and nerve branch density (NBD), were evaluated using in vivo confocal microscopy. Corneal sensitivity was evaluated using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. The results were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: In the Alzheimer\'s group, NFL was 12.2 (2.4) mm/mm2, NFD was 12.5 [3.1] fibers/mm2, and NBD was 29.7 [9.37] branches/mm2. In the control group, NFL was 16.5 (2.0) mm/mm2, NFD was 25.0 [3.13] fibers/mm2, and NBD was 37.5 [10.9] branches/mm2. All three parameters were significantly lower in the Alzheimer\'s group compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). Similarly, corneal sensitivity was significantly lower in the Alzheimer\'s group (55.0 [5.0] mm) compared to the control group (60.0 [5.0] mm) (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: We determined that, in AD, corneal sensitivity decreases significantly, in parallel with the decrease in corneal nerves. Changes in the corneal nerve plexus and a decrease in corneal sensitivity may be used in the early diagnosis and follow-up of AD. In addition, ocular surface problems secondary to these changes should also be kept in mind.
METHODS: Twenty-two patients who were followed up with Alzheimer\'s disease (Alzheimer\'s group) and 18 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals (control group) were included in this cross-sectional study. CSNP parameters, including nerve fiber length (NFL), nerve fiber density (NFD), and nerve branch density (NBD), were evaluated using in vivo confocal microscopy. Corneal sensitivity was evaluated using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. The results were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: In the Alzheimer\'s group, NFL was 12.2 (2.4) mm/mm2, NFD was 12.5 [3.1] fibers/mm2, and NBD was 29.7 [9.37] branches/mm2. In the control group, NFL was 16.5 (2.0) mm/mm2, NFD was 25.0 [3.13] fibers/mm2, and NBD was 37.5 [10.9] branches/mm2. All three parameters were significantly lower in the Alzheimer\'s group compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). Similarly, corneal sensitivity was significantly lower in the Alzheimer\'s group (55.0 [5.0] mm) compared to the control group (60.0 [5.0] mm) (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: We determined that, in AD, corneal sensitivity decreases significantly, in parallel with the decrease in corneal nerves. Changes in the corneal nerve plexus and a decrease in corneal sensitivity may be used in the early diagnosis and follow-up of AD. In addition, ocular surface problems secondary to these changes should also be kept in mind.
摘要：
目的：比较，在阿尔茨海默病(AD)患者和健康个体之间，角膜基底下神经丛（CSNP）参数和角膜敏感性。
方法：本横断面研究纳入了22例阿尔茨海默病随访患者（阿尔茨海默病组）和18例年龄和性别匹配的健康个体（对照组）。CSNP参数，包括神经纤维长度（NFL），神经纤维密度（NFD），和神经分支密度（NBD），使用体内共聚焦显微镜进行评估。使用Cochet-Bonnet美学计评估角膜敏感性。比较两组的结果。
结果：在阿尔茨海默氏症组中，NFL为12.2(2.4)mm/mm2,NFD为12.5[3.1]纤维/mm2,NBD为29.7[9.37]支/mm2。在对照组中，NFL为16.5(2.0)mm/mm2,NFD为25.0[3.13]纤维/mm2,NBD为37.5[10.9]分支/mm2。与对照组相比，阿尔茨海默氏症组的所有三个参数均显着降低（分别为p<0.001，p<0.001和p=0.001）。同样，与对照组(60.0[5.0]mm)相比,阿尔茨海默氏症组(55.0[5.0]mm)的角膜敏感度显著降低(p<0.001).
结论：我们确定，在AD中,角膜敏感度显著下降，同时角膜神经的减少。角膜神经丛的变化和角膜敏感性的降低可用于AD的早期诊断和随访。此外,继发于这些变化的眼表问题也应牢记。
方法：本横断面研究纳入了22例阿尔茨海默病随访患者（阿尔茨海默病组）和18例年龄和性别匹配的健康个体（对照组）。CSNP参数，包括神经纤维长度（NFL），神经纤维密度（NFD），和神经分支密度（NBD），使用体内共聚焦显微镜进行评估。使用Cochet-Bonnet美学计评估角膜敏感性。比较两组的结果。
结果：在阿尔茨海默氏症组中，NFL为12.2(2.4)mm/mm2,NFD为12.5[3.1]纤维/mm2,NBD为29.7[9.37]支/mm2。在对照组中，NFL为16.5(2.0)mm/mm2,NFD为25.0[3.13]纤维/mm2,NBD为37.5[10.9]分支/mm2。与对照组相比，阿尔茨海默氏症组的所有三个参数均显着降低（分别为p<0.001，p<0.001和p=0.001）。同样，与对照组(60.0[5.0]mm)相比,阿尔茨海默氏症组(55.0[5.0]mm)的角膜敏感度显著降低(p<0.001).
结论：我们确定，在AD中,角膜敏感度显著下降，同时角膜神经的减少。角膜神经丛的变化和角膜敏感性的降低可用于AD的早期诊断和随访。此外,继发于这些变化的眼表问题也应牢记。
