During an embryo's development, a piece of the still-growing brain branches off to form the retina, a sliver of tissue in the back of the eye. This makes the retina, which is composed of several layers of neurons, a piece of the central nervous system.
One approach to retinal screening aims to search for signs of beta-amyloid, the peptide that amasses into damaging plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. Studies suggest this protein fragment also accumulates in the retina—and researchers have found evidence that it may be detectable there before the onset of symptoms.
Preliminary findings from the trials, presented at a conference last November, included 108 participants who either were at risk of or had preclinical Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment, which can be an early sign of neurodegenerative disease. After comparing the retinal screening tests with PET and CSF results, the researchers found the technique correctly identified people with brain amyloid 86 percent of the time and correctly ruled out those without it 80 percent of the time.
If I had to choose, I would choose Parkinson's over Alzheimer's disease! Because it's better to spill some whiskey than not to know where my whiskey is!
I learned about this in the 90's, why is it today that old ideas and studies, are pushed as new? Tech may change and improve old ideas, but time does not reinvent them.
Screening for a disease must include the patient's knowledge & consent. Clinical trials wouldn't be covered by medical insurance, right?
The windows to the brain?
In the absence of useful help screening only causes suffering.
Very promising. This is incredible work. Are the treatments equal to this discovery?
Until there are some useful interventions who would take such a test?
Human retinas, like the one shown here, can reveal signs of Alzheimer's disease. We also see, and above all, the eyelids and eyelashes which have nothing to do with a retinography…
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