A new study shows that an eye scan may be a relatively easy, inexpensive way to test for early Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
The study builds on research showing that closely examining the retina might help detect Alzheimer\u2019s in its early stages. The retina is made up of brain tissue. Retinas are connected to the brain via the optic nerve. Changes in the brain from dementia, including Alzheimer\u2019s, can also show up in the retina.<\/p>\n
In a small study, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis identified about 30 people with no signs of Alzheimer\u2019s. They then tested all of these people with two ways of measuring biological changes associated with the disease. One is a PET scan of the brain. The other is an examination of spinal fluid.<\/p>\n
A little more than half of the people tested showed no signs of Alzheimer\u2019s in the biological tests. The others had biological signs or markers of the disease. These markers are proteins or clusters of proteins found in the brains of people with Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Next, the researchers scanned the eyes of everyone in the study. They used a scan called optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA), which creates a detailed cross-section of the retina. OCTA scanning can map blood vessels in the retina.<\/p>\n
They found changes in the retinas of the people who also had biological signs of Alzheimer\u2019s. The people without Alzheimer\u2019s markers had normal retinas.<\/p>\n
The biological tests for Alzheimer\u2019s, looking at spinal fluid or a brain PET scan, are complicated, expensive, and pose risks for patients. They are rarely used to diagnose the condition.<\/p>\n
Most Alzheimer\u2019s is diagnosed through memory tests or observing behavior changes. By the time changes in behavior are noticed, the disease can be advanced. While Alzheimer\u2019s has no cure, medications and social programs may slow the disease. Experts are eager to find ways to diagnose Alzheimer\u2019s early.<\/p>\n
Ophthalmologist Sunir Garg, MD a retina specialist at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, called the Washington University study an exciting start. But he cautioned that the study is small, and much more work is needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully this will stimulate a lot more research,\u201d Garg said. \u201cWe know from previous studies that certain changes in Alzheimer\u2019s disease have similarities to changes we see in the retina. The retina is a direct extension of the brain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garg stressed that patients with abnormal OCT scans shouldn\u2019t assume they have Alzheimer\u2019s. \u201cJust because you have changes in the retina doesn\u2019t necessarily enable us to diagnose Alzheimer\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
The eye is one of the few parts of the body where an ophthalmologist can see blood vessels, nerves and other tissues that are usually hidden. And for some conditions, changes in the eye may be the first sign of trouble. Diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, sexually transmitted diseases and cancers have all been diagnosed from eye exams. And eye exams have even saved lives that would have been lost to stroke.<\/p>\n
Research on the links between eye health and brain health is growing. There is much more to learn, Garg said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a9\u00a0American Academy of Ophthalmology Sept 2018<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A new study shows that an eye scan may be a relatively easy, inexpensive way to test for early Alzheimer\u2019s disease. The study builds on research showing that closely examining the retina might help detect Alzheimer\u2019s in its early stages. The retina is made up of brain tissue. Retinas are connected to the brain via […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":11531,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n