Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Alzheimer's disease in the eye?

J Alzheimers Dis. 2011;24(4):615-31. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2011-101908.

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a late-onset, neurodegenerative retinal disease that shares several clinical and pathological features with Alzheimer's disease (AD), including stress stimuli such as oxidative stress and inflammation. In both diseases, the detrimental intra- and extracellular deposits have many similarities. Aging, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, obesity, arteriosclerosis, and smoking are risk factors to develop AMD and AD. Cellular aging processes have similar organelle and signaling association in the retina and brain tissues. However, it seems that these diseases have a different genetic background. In this review, differences and similarities of AMD and AD are thoroughly discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / metabolism
  • Aging / pathology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / complications*
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Eye Diseases / complications
  • Eye Diseases / pathology
  • Eye Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Macular Degeneration / complications*
  • Macular Degeneration / pathology*
  • Macular Degeneration / physiopathology