Visual aspects of neurologic protein misfolding disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This article reviews topics of interest to the ophthalmologist relating to the most common neurologic protein misfolding disorders.


RESULTS
Many neurodegenerative diseases are pathologically associated with misfolded proteins. These diseases cause a profound impact of disability to the individual and society. Alzheimer's disease costs alone are estimated to be over US$225 billion annually in the USA. The ophthalmologist is often asked to provide an opinion regarding the cause of visual symptoms in patients with these unique disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The categorization of neurodegenerative diseases has evolved based on advances in genetic, molecular and pathological research. In many neurodegenerative diseases, aggregation of a misfolded protein is responsible for the development of pathologic inclusions. When the misfolded protein is tau or synuclein, these diseases are called tauopathies or synucleinopathies, respectively. This article focuses on ophthalmic findings in some of the most common tauopathies and synucleinopathies: Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multisystem atrophy.
Pula
John H
JH
Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. John.Pula@uchospitals.edu
Kim
Jisoon
J
Nichols
Jeffrey
J
D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017510:Protein Folding; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology