Eye Test for Alzheimer’s

Let’s face it, science is cool. The research that is now accomplished on a daily basis was inconceivable fifty years ago. Technology seems to be advancing at an exponential rate. Advancements in accurate disease screening, improved medications and even cures are becoming real possibilities. For the first time ever, a real-time death of a retinal nerve cell in Alzheimer’s disease was recorded.  The results of this important research means a simple and inexpensive eye test could be developed to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of major neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

The research, led by Professors Francesca Codeiro and Stephen Moss, published their findings and demonstrated how their new technique enables retinal, and therefore brain cell death, to be directly measured in real-time. The technique uses a customized laser ophthalmoscope, which is usually reserved for lab use rather than in live animals.

Professor Cordiero said: “The death of nerve cells is the key event in all neurodegenerative disorders – but until now it has not been possible to study cell death in real time. This technique means we should be able to directly observe retinal cell death in patients, which has a number of advantages in terms of effective diagnosis…Currently, the biggest obstacle to research into new treatments for neurodegenerative disease is the lack of a technique where the brain’s response to new treatments can be directly assessed – this technique could potentially help overcome that.”

She added: “Few people realize that the retina is a direct, albeit thin, extension of the brain. It is entirely possible that in the future a visit to a high-street optician to check on your eyesight will also be a check on the state of your brain.” The future of science and technology holds many wonders and sights yet to be seen. It’s exciting to dream of a world of flying cars and eye exams that check both your brain and vision. As this new research shows, that might not be so far fetched after all.  Like I said, science is cool.