Telomerase Activator and Retinal Amyloid

A method of detecting amyloid in the retina has been developed. A specially designed retinal camera will directly visualze and record retinal amyloid and via image processing will generate a number: the retinal amyloid index (RAI). The amount of retinal amyloid correlates with cerebral amyloid and has a predictive value in Alzheimer's disease. Telomere attrition accounts for cellular aging and is felt to have a pivotal role in Alzheimer's disease. The investigators plan to screen individuals to select those having retinal amyloid then evaluate an oral telomerase activator to determine if its use can alter the RAI over time compared to placebo.