Eye exams may uncover Alzheimer’s warning signs years before memory loss appears | Mice with a common gene mutation showed twisted retinal vessels tied to dementia, hinting at early diagnostics.

[u/chrisdh79]

https://interestingengineering.com/health/eye-exams-alzheimers-early-detection

[u/FuturologyBot]

The following submission statement was provided by /u/chrisdh79:

---

From the article: Doctors may soon be able to detect Alzheimer’s disease long before memory loss sets in—using something as simple as a routine eye exam.

A new study suggests that subtle changes in the retina’s blood vessels could serve as an early biomarker for dementia risk.

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) found that twisted and narrowed vessels in the retinas of mice with a common genetic mutation strongly resemble vascular abnormalities seen in Alzheimer’s patients.

The findings build on nearly a decade of research at JAX, where scientists have linked changes in specific retinal cells to early dementia risk.

Because the retina is part of the central nervous system and shares nearly identical tissue with the brain, it provides a uniquely accessible window into neurological health.

“Your retina is essentially your brain, but it’s much more accessible,” said neuroscientist Alaina Reagan, who co-led the study with Gareth Howell, professor and Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Chair for Glaucoma Research at JAX.

“We can directly see the neurons and blood vessels, and how they behave under disease pressure.”

---

Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/1n1fgjd/eye_exams_may_uncover_alzheimers_warning_signs/naxouuv/

[u/Sweeth_Tooth99]

and what can doctors do about alzheimer if they manage to diagnose someone very very early

[u/Tarjaman → u/Sweeth_Tooth99]

There are treatments to slow it down, and it's most effective in the early stages, but not much more yet.

[u/edbash]

I had an optometrist note the variety of conditions that can be observed from looking at retinal blood vessels. So, this article makes sense to me.

I think as of today (when no treatment for Alzheimer’s really exists) the advantage of very early detection would be to make behavioral and nutritional interventions that are likely to slow the disease. We already know that when we identify mild cognitive decline, early interventions make a huge difference for many of these people.

For example, if you find a person in their 60’s who is sedentary, eating poorly, not getting cognitive or social stimulation, they are an ideal candidate for behavioral interventions that can reduce or reverse early cognitive decline. So, if the eye doctor adds their intervention, together with other health professionals, there is a much better chance of improving this person’s life.

[u/chrisdh79]

From the article: Doctors may soon be able to detect Alzheimer’s disease long before memory loss sets in—using something as simple as a routine eye exam.

A new study suggests that subtle changes in the retina’s blood vessels could serve as an early biomarker for dementia risk.

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) found that twisted and narrowed vessels in the retinas of mice with a common genetic mutation strongly resemble vascular abnormalities seen in Alzheimer’s patients.

The findings build on nearly a decade of research at JAX, where scientists have linked changes in specific retinal cells to early dementia risk.

Because the retina is part of the central nervous system and shares nearly identical tissue with the brain, it provides a uniquely accessible window into neurological health.

“Your retina is essentially your brain, but it’s much more accessible,” said neuroscientist Alaina Reagan, who co-led the study with Gareth Howell, professor and Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Chair for Glaucoma Research at JAX.

“We can directly see the neurons and blood vessels, and how they behave under disease pressure.”

[u/ImTooSaxy → u/chrisdh79]

Is this in any way related to the weird fact that people with congenital blindness don't get schizophrenia?

[u/oblivious_affect]

Don’t tell anyone but there are a genes which determine the vascularization of the nervous system and not just inside the brain