which correspond to plaque in parts of the brain - making the development of early AD detection feasible.
The following is from USA Today:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/08/22/can-eye-scan-detect-alzheimers-years-advance/589166001/?WT.mc_id=enews2017_08_27&utm_source=enews-aff-21&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2017-08-27
"Researchers say early indicators of Alzheimer's disease exist within our eyes, meaning a non-invasive eye scan could tip us off to Alzheimer's years before symptoms occur.
It turns out the disease affects the retina — the back of the eye — similarly to how it affects the brain, notes neuroscience investigators at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California. Through a high-definition eye scan, the researchers found they could see buildup of toxic proteins, which are indicative of Alzheimer's.
"The findings suggest that the retina may serve as a reliable source for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis," said Cedars-Sinai associate professor Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, lead author of the study, which published Thursday in the journal JCI Insight. "One of the major advantages of analyzing the retina is the repeatability, which allows us to monitor patients and potentially the progression of their disease."
In another find, the study uncovered plaques in unchecked regions of the retina, said research associate Yosef Koronyo. The amount of plaque in the retina matched the plaque in certain parts of the brain.
"Now we know exactly where to look to find the signs of Alzheimer's disease as early as possible," he said.