Eye-brain connections: Incidence, mechanisms, and interventions for ophthalmic and neuropsychiatric comorbidities

The relationship between ophthalmic diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders represents a rapidly evolving area in the fields of ophthalmology, neurology, and psychiatry. Chronic eye conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration have been associated with increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Recent research has shown that early structural and microvascular changes in the retina can serve as potential biomarkers for cognitive decline and psychiatric symptoms. Despite this progress, our understanding remains incomplete. Critical gaps persist regarding the epidemiology across different populations, pathophysiological mechanisms underlying eye-brain interactions, and the clinical utility of ocular signs in predicting or managing neuropsychiatric conditions.

This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of the complex interplay between ophthalmic and neuropsychiatric disorders by addressing key unresolved questions. The primary objectives are to elucidate incidence rates and risk profiles for neuropsychiatric disorders within ocular disease populations, analyze ocular manifestations associated with psychiatric and neurologic conditions, and uncover novel neuro-molecular pathways connecting the eye and brain. In addition, the Research Topic seeks to facilitate the development of innovative intervention methods, such as neuromodulation and pharmacological modifications, by promoting interdisciplinary approaches and integrative study designs. Key questions include: how do demographic factors influence the incidence of these comorbidities, what are the shared molecular or genetic pathways, and can ocular assessments provide reliable early warnings for neuropsychiatric progression?

The scope of this Research Topic is intentionally broad, covering both basic research and clinical applications, but excludes unrelated ocular or psychiatric phenomena without documented interaction mechanisms. To gather further insights in the pathophysiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic dimensions of the ocular-brain axis, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Epidemiology and characteristics of neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with ophthalmic diseases, considering factors such as gender, ethnicity, and age
- Incidence and underlying mechanisms of ophthalmic diseases emerging in neuropsychiatric populations, including genetic predispositions, medication side effects, and nerve damage
- Discovery and validation of new neural, molecular, and lymphatic pathways mediating the eye-brain connection.
- Development and assessment of novel intervention methods, such as neuromodulation and the design or adaptation of pharmacological agents
- Clinical utility of retinal imaging and ocular biomarkers in predicting or diagnosing neuropsychiatric disorders

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Ocular–brain axis, Retinal biomarkers, Neurovascular coupling, Retinal microvascular changes, OCT angiography, OCTA

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.