Eye scan may detect Alzheimer's disease in seconds

Two new studies now suggest that a noninvasive eye scan could soon be used to catch Alzheimer's disease early.

 The world's population is aging rapidly and the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is on the rise. For this reason, the need for efficient dementia screening methods that can be applied to millions of people is dire.Current diagnostic practices are either invasive or ineffective.
 
For instance, brain scans are costly, and spinal taps — or lumbar punctures — are invasive and potentially harmful. Specialists currently diagnose Alzheimer's disease using memory tests and by tracking behavioral changes. However, by the time that the symptoms appear, the disease has already progressed.
 
For these reasons, researchers are hard at work trying to devise newer and better diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's. For instance, some scientists are trying to use a "sniff test" as a way of assessing whether someone has dementia.
 
Now, researchers at Duke University in Durham, NC, say that Alzheimer's could be diagnosed in seconds just by looking at a person's eyes, and scientists at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel concur.

The signs of Alzheimer's disease in the retina

Doctors use a technique called optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to examine the link between the eyes' retinas and Alzheimer's disease. OCTA lets ophthalmologists examine each of the retina's layers, mapping them and measuring their thickness noninvasively. The technique uses light waves to take photos of the retina.  Doctors found that people with Alzheimer's have lost small blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye, and a certain layer of the retina was thinner in people with Alzheimer's than in those with MCI or people who did not have any form of cognitive impairment.

To read more about the findings of this new study on Alzheimer’s disease detection by the retina Please Click Here

It's Alzheimer's Awareness Month, and BrightStar Care of Boise is honored to care for many individuals living with the disease. Read more about how we can support your families with senior individuals living with Alzheimer's or dementia home care.
 
BrightStar Care of Boise provides a full continuum of home care services comprised of companionship, personal care, dementia care, transportation, medication assistance, skilled nursing and more to improve clients’ health and quality of life.  

To learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals, and home health care support for Boise, ID families and businesses - CLICK HERE