Study suggests that early signs of Alzheimer's disease could be detected in the eyes.

A recent study suggests that the earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease may appear in the eyes before any symptoms appear. According to ophthalmologist Dr. Christine Greer, the eye is the window into the brain as it allows researchers to look directly into the nervous system by examining the back of the eye towards the optic nerve and retina. The study examined donated tissue from the retina and brains of 86 people with different degrees of mental decline to understand how the eye could help diagnose Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found significant increases in beta-amyloid, a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease, in people with early cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. The study also discovered that microglial cells, responsible for repairing and maintaining other cells, declined by 80% in those with cognitive issues. These findings suggest that eye tests may aid in early diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease progression.