Eye Tests - More Screening Tools For Early Detection of Alzheimer's

Two clinical trials that use eye screening to detect early build up of amyloid in the brain were reviewed at the 2014 Alzheimer’s International Conference.  Like the smell tests that were also reviewed at the AAIC, these eye screening tests are designed to identify people who are asymptomatic, but who are at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

One research group used curcumin, one of the ingredients in curry powder, to stain the retina to highlight a build up of amyloid.  CSIRO, the Australian national science agency, working with American researchers, selected the retina because it is part of the central nervous system.  As described by the researchers, it is “a piece of the brain outside of the brain”.  As it turns out, curcumin binds to amyloid, staining the deposits a bright yellow that is picked up by the researchers’ specially designed camera.  The subjects also underwent a PET scan, which confirmed that the retina scan was a very accurate substitute for a PET scan in confirming the presence and amount of amyloid deposits.

The retina scanning trial is not finished.  There are 200 people involved in the retina study.  So far, the trial has finished scans of 40 of these subjects.  The results are impressive: The retina scans have accurately identified 100% of the subjects who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and ruled out Alzheimer’s in 80% of the subjects who did not have the disease....