Overview

• Peer‑reviewed research in Alzheimer’s & Dementia reports that MTHFR677C>T mice develop twisted, narrowed, and swollen retinal vessels with reduced branching by six months.
• The retinal abnormalities parallel cerebrovascular deficits previously seen in the same model, including fewer cortical vessels and reduced cerebral blood flow.
• Proteomic analyses identified shared disruptions in energy production, protein clearance, and vascular support pathways across retina and brain.
• Age and sex shaped outcomes, with female mice showing greater declines in retinal vessel density and branching by 12 months.
• Researchers have begun a clinical partnership with Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Maine to assess whether similar retinal signs can be detected during routine eye exams in people, noting that human validation and controls for factors such as hypertension are essential.