The role of RPD in progression of AMD 1.0

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Deep learning, large datasets, genome-wide analysis and histological correlates to determine the role of reticular pseudodrusen in the progression of age-related macular degeneration

• IRAS ID

  277151

• Contact name

  Roy Schwartz

• Contact email

  roy.schwartz1@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Moorfields at City Road

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 11 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness. It is characterised in its early stage by deposits under the macula called drusen. Over time many eyes develop atrophy (worn-out patches of the retinal layer that picks up light), also called “dry AMD”, for which there is no treatment. A minority of eyes with AMD develop a secondary complication of abnormal blood vessels growth at the back of the eye (“wet AMD”) which leads to vision loss, for which there is treatment.
  It is imperative to better understand the biological pathways and genetic associations that are linked to dry AMD to provide a suitable treatment in the future.
  Historically, drusen are hallmarks of AMD. However, reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) are another form of deposits that can mostly be seen in patients with AMD but also with some other conditions that involve the back of the eye. Recently, RPD have been recognised as an important risk factor for advanced AMD, and possibly a more significant risk factor than the presence of conventional drusen deposits alone. There is limited understanding of how RPD drives disease.
  We are fortunate to have access to an existing large database of patient images and genetic data that has got individual patient consent for research use (termed a Biobank).

  The proposed study addresses important gaps in our knowledge of the key factors for advanced AMD by developing:
  1. A grading system for RPD.
  2. Develop image recognition software (artificial intelligence tools) to detect RPD automatically.
  3. Apply the software developed in the previous step to detect RPD in existing patient images from the Biobank
  4. Diagnosing genetic data from the Biobank, see if previously undiscovered genetic risk factors can be detected
  5. Confirmation of the genetic findings on histopathological specimens

• REC name

  South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  20/SW/0135

• Date of REC Opinion

  1 Sep 2020

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion