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Watan-Scientists and specialists have concluded that early detection of dementia is possible through a simple eye examination, specifically by analyzing the retina. This could allow doctors to identify early signs of dementia by examining a person’s eye.
According to researchers, blood vessels at the back of the eye may signal the early stages of dementia, enabling medical professionals to take preventive measures. This finding was reported by Science Alert.
Multiple studies have established connections between eye problems and the risk of developing dementia. Beta-amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, have been found in the retinas of individuals diagnosed with the condition.
Dementia’s disease,
Retina Thinning Linked to Cognitive Decline, Study Finds
Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand discovered that thinning of the retina in middle-aged individuals can be linked to cognitive performance in early and middle adulthood. The retina consists of light-sensitive tissues lining the back of the eye.
Scientists believe these findings could lead to the development of a simple eye test to predict the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.
Ashley Barrett Young, a psychologist at the University of Otago, explained, “In our study, we focused on the retina, which is directly connected to the brain.”
It’s believed that many pathological processes of Alzheimer’s are reflected in the retina, making it a good biomarker for identifying individuals at risk of dementia.
Young and her team revisited data from a longitudinal study conducted in 2022, tracking 45 years of health data from New Zealanders born in 1972 and 1973.
For their new research, the team used data from 938 participants at age 45, which included retinal scans, eye examinations, and tests assessing the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia in middle age.
The research repeated most of the 2022 study and examined connections between cognitive decline and the thickness of the retinal layer. Special attention was given to the nerve fiber layer closest to the vitreous cavity, which “fills” our round eyes, along with adjacent layers of ganglion cells and the inner plexiform layer. The nerve fiber layer is particularly important as it carries visual signals to the brain.
Dementia prediction through eye health
Retinal Microvessels Stronger Indicator of Dementia Risk Than Nerve Fiber Layer
They also explored potential links to the health of the retinal blood vessels, confirmed by measuring the diameters of the small arteries and veins in the retina.
The team wrote, “These vessels are believed to reflect the general health of the cardiovascular system (including cerebral blood vessels), which is linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.”
It turned out that, at least for the New Zealand participants, the health of the retinal microvessels was a much stronger indicator of dementia risk than the nerve fiber layer.
While the thickness of the nerve fiber layer (not the ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer) was weakly correlated with dementia risk, it did not have the same strong connection as the microvascular link.
The team found that people with narrower small arteries (microvessels that carry blood away from the heart) and wider small veins (microvessels that receive blood from capillaries) generally had higher dementia risk scores.
Science Alert reported that doctors will not apply the study’s findings practically yet, as they are specific to a particular population and rely on observational data.
However, we may be approaching a future where routine eye exams can help detect dementia risk before symptoms appear, allowing more time for treatment planning.
Barrett Young commented, “Treatments for Alzheimer’s and some forms of dementia might be more effective if started early in the disease’s progression.”
She added, “We hope that one day we can use artificial intelligence methods in eye exams to give you an indication of your brain health, but we are not there yet.”
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