A simple eye test that locates dead cells in the retina could be used to detect diseases such as Alzheimer's before they show symptoms. The new technique, developed by scientists at University College London in mice, uses fluorescent markers that adhere to dying cells in the wall of the eye. They provide a first indication of cell death in the brain , according to scientists in the journal Cell Death and Disease . Alzheimer's is known to affect sight, and 60 percent of sufferers have eye problems related to the ability to perceive color, movement, or contrast.
According to experts, the development of this technique "opens a window to the brain " for researchers, who currently can only access brain activity using expensive scanners. "Few people realize that the retina, although thin, is an extension of the brain. It is entirely possible that, in the future, a visit to the optician for a check-up could be used to check the state of our thinking organ", has explained one of the study's authors, Francesca Cordeiro, who predicts that the technique could be available in clinics and hospitals within five years.
It is believed that in the future this same system could help detect other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's .
