[K23] Genetic Variation in AMD Progression and Treatment Response
Ente: National Eye Institute
Scadenza: 2030-03-31
Importo max: 244.379 EUR
Paese: US
Descrizione
Summary/Abstract
This project aims to explore how genetic variation influences disease progression and therapeutic response in
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by integrating advanced optical coherence tomography (OCT)
imaging with machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). AMD, a leading cause of vision loss in older
adults, presents with highly variable progression, ranging from slow decline to rapid vision loss. This variability
remains poorly understood, largely due to the genetic and phenotypic diversity of AMD. This project leverages
ML for deep phenotyping of OCT data to refine the classification of AMD subtypes, combined with genetic
analysis for a deeper understanding of disease progression. The hypothesis is that genetic variations influence
distinct AMD subtypes and stages, shaping both disease progression and therapeutic response. To test this
hypothesis, the following aims are proposed:
Specific Aim 1: Determine how genetic variation influences AMD progression using AI-driven analysis of OCT
biomarkers and ML to classify patients as slow or rapid progressors. Three-dimensional ML models, such as
SLIViT and retina-specific models like RETFound, will enable detailed phenotype analysis, revealing high-risk
features and novel subtypes correlated with progression rates.
Specific Aim 2: Investigate how genetic variation affects functional and therapeutic outcomes in AMD by
integrating OCT data with patient treatment responses through ML-based models, exploring genetic factors
linked to visual acuity outcomes and treatment efficacy. The project will refine polygenic risk scores (PRS) by
combining these insights with genome-wide association study (GWAS) data to improve predictions of rapid
progression and treatment responsiveness.
Datasets from the UK Biobank and UCLA Biobank will be utilized, applying ML-based imaging analysis,
transfer learning for 3D data, ML-based deep phenotyping, and traditional and post-GWAS analysis.
Techniques include ML-based progression analysis (e.g., pySuStain) and causal ML for treatment response.
This research aims to identify novel genetic loci associated with AMD subtypes, offering new insights into
disease mechanisms and potentially unrecognized pathways. These findings will enhance PRS models,
enabling better stratification of patients by genetic risk and advancing personalized approaches to AMD
management. Supported by a team of mentors with expertise in retinal imaging, genetics, and bioinformatics,
this project seeks to impact public health by guiding diagnosis, therapeutic, and prognosis to reduce vision loss
in patients with AMD.
Istituzione: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
PI: Adrian C Au
Progetto: 5K23EY037861-02
Settori: National Eye Institute
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