Amyloidogenesis and neurotrophic dysfunction in age-related macular degeneration in correlation with Alzheimer’s disease

The pathogenesis of diseases associated with amyloid deposition in various organs and tissues has been a concern for researchers and clinicians since their discovery. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between amyloidogenesis and neurotrophic disorders in age-related neurodegenerative pathology. In this context, the amyloid cascade theory and the neurotrophic dysfunction theory remain relevant, as evidenced by the results of numerous studies conducted in recent years. Meanwhile, it has been shown that amyloidosis, being a systemic pathological process, affects ocular tissues and extraocular structures in various forms with diverse clinical and morphological manifestations. This highlights the need for improved diagnostics of ocular amyloidosis and the study of its association with geriatric ophthalmic diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), senile cataract, primary open-angle glaucoma, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Accumulating evidence suggests that both amyloidogenesis and neurotrophic disturbances share common triggers and mutually contribute to the development of neurodegenerative pathology in both AMD and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therapeutic strategies aimed not only at suppressing amyloidogenesis and correcting neurotrophic dysfunction but also at the overall regulation of these two pathogenic mechanisms may have a positive effect on geriatric ophthalmic diseases and AD, significantly improving the quality of life of elderly patients. This article summarizes current concepts on the role of neurotrophic dysfunction and amyloidogenic processes in the development of AMD.