New Eye Test for Alzheimer’s Could Give Sufferers and Their Families Advance Warning
Alzheimer’s is a terrible, incurable, debilitating disease that robs people, usually older people, of their brain function, their memories, their very lives. Although there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, treatments for this awful affliction are getting more and more sophisticated, and one of the keys to good treatment is early detection.
Now, scientists claim they have found a way to detect Alzheimer’s that is less invasive and can find signs of the disease earlier than ever before. And the good news is that it’s a simple eye test.
Over a year ago, researchers at the University of Minnesota Center for Drug Design published a study in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science proving that their eye test could identify Alzheimer’s in mice. Today, Cedars Sinai Medical Center research studies suggest that such a test could soon be applied to humans for early Alzheimer’s detection, as well.
Retinal Scan for Alzheimer’s
Currently, to diagnose Alzheimer’s, Doctors do a PET scan of the brain to search for plaque buildup, specifically of a protein known as beta-amyloid. This test is expensive and somewhat invasive, as it requires the tester to inject the subject with radioactive tracers.
If the new eye test is effective, all it would require is a retinal scan. What researchers have learned is that these same beta-amyloid deposits that appear in the brain also appear on the retina, in a direct correlation to the brain plaques. Locating these deposits can allow a diagnosis much more easily and much earlier than through the PET scan method.
Perhaps most importantly to patients, the test would also be much less invasive. In a recent clinical trial, all patients had to do was drink a curcumin (a substance found in the spice turmeric) solution. This caused the amyloid plaque to light up in the retinas, where researchers could spot it with a standard retinal examination.
Eye Exams and Eye Health
If this test becomes commonplace, it could mean great things for the ability of medical professionals to help people and their families with Alzheimer’s. Even if you don’t think Alzheimer’s is a concern, eye health is extremely important, both for your long-term eyesight and for your general overall health. If you haven’t had an eye exam in a year or more, it’s time to come in.
If you’re in the Portland area, Beaumont Vision can offer you a very professional, thorough eye exam in a comfortable environment. We offer complete exams as well as a variety of attractive eyeglass frames for those who need them. There’s no time to waste when it comes to your eye health. Book an appointment today!