 |
| Eye tests may help detect signs of Alzheimer’s (Photo: TTO) |
Early dementia can potentially be detected with a simple eye test, similar to methods used for checking high blood pressure and diabetes, according to American scientists.
This test, developed by a team of researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, utilizes a non-invasive laser to examine the lens of the eye. This method aids in detecting beta-amyloid, a protein found in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Currently, this method has been successfully tested on mice. Dr. Lee Goldstein, the lead researcher, and his colleagues intend to use this approach to identify Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stages, track the progression of the disease, and monitor the patients’ responses to treatment.
At present, there is no simple testing method available for accurately diagnosing dementia, as it can only be definitively confirmed through brain examinations during autopsy.
