Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in Huntington's disease

Objectives To evaluate the retinal and choriocapillaris vascular networks in macular region and the central choroidal thickness (CCT) in patients affected by Huntington disease (HD), using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain OCT (EDI SD-OCT). Methods We assessed the vessel density (VD) in superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris (CC) using OCTA, while CCT was measured by EDI SD-OCT. Results Sixteen HD patients (32 eyes) and thirteen healthy controls (26 eyes) were enrolled in this prospective study. No significant difference in retinal and choriocapillaris VD was found between HD patients and controls while CCT turned to be thinner in patients respect to controls. There were no significant relationships between OCTA findings and neurological parameters. Conclusion The changes in choroidal structure provide useful information regarding the possible neurovascular involvement in the physiopathology of HD. Choroidal vascular network could be a useful parameter to evaluate the vascular impairment that occurs in this neurodegenerative disease.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the retinal and choriocapillaris vascular networks and central choroidal thickness in patients with Huntington disease using OCTA and EDI SD-OCT. The findings showed no significant difference in retinal and choriocapillaris vascular density between HD patients and healthy controls, while the central choroidal thickness was thinner in HD patients compared to controls. There was also no significant relationship between OCTA findings and neurological parameters. This suggests that changes in choroidal structure may provide important insights into the neurovascular involvement in the pathophysiology of HD.