Eye test Is it darker on the red or the green? And now? If it seems that the only thing that changes about your eye test is the strength of the prescription, and the size of the bill, hold on to your specs. Research, carried out by scientists at University College London (UCL) Institute of Ophthalmology, has led to a new technique that could mean earlier detection and diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
The scientists have come up with a new technique that should allow them to measure the death of cells on the retina of a living person. "Few people realise that the retina is a direct, albeit thin, extension of the brain," says Professor Francesca Cordeiro, co-leader of the research with Professor Stephen Moss.
Up until now, this work has only been carried out on cells in laboratories. This new development could mean a major step forward for research into neurological conditions. It could mean early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, for instance, using a technique that isn’t too expensive and involves an examination no more invasive than an eyesight test.
The technique works by using fluorescent markers that attach themselves to the relevant cells and show the stage of cell death. To find out whether a patient’s rate of cell death is normal or indicates a possible neurological disorder, scientists can look at the retina using a customised laser ophthalmoscope. "It is entirely possible that in the future a visit to a high-street optician to check on your eyesight will also be a check on the state of your brain," says Professor Cordeiro.
The research paper, published in the journal Cell Death & Disease, describes work carried out with animals; however Professor Cordeiro’s team are continuing their research, this time in detecting and assessing glaucoma, and will carry out their first patient trials this year.
"Currently, the biggest obstacle to research into new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases is the lack of a technique where the brain’s response to new treatments can be directly assessed," says Professor Cordeiro. "This technique could potentially help to overcome that."
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, is understandably positive about the development. "700,000 people in the UK live with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and that number is set to double within a generation unless scientists make rapid progress in their race for a cure," she says.
"If we spot Alzheimer’s in its earliest stages, we may be able to treat and reverse the progression of the disease as new treatments are developed. Dementia scientists currently lack a way of assessing the brain’s responses to new treatments in real time; this technique may help overcome that obstacle."
At the moment there are no real treatments for Alzheimer’s, although research continues in the fight against this devastating condition. 163,000 new cases of dementia occur every year in England and Wales. That’s one new case every 3.2 minutes. You can find out more about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, including how to reduce your risk, at these websites.
Alzheimer’s Research Trust: www.alzheimer’s-research.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society: www.alzheimers.org.uk
First published January 15, 2010.