Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be seen in the eyes, revealed in a new study

According to the National Institute on Aging, “Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to perform the simplest tasks.”

“Alzheimer’s disease begins in the brain decades before the first symptoms of memory loss,” Alzheimer’s preventive neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson told news platform CNN. Modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.”

According to neurological experts, the eyes are the window to our brain and the nervous system can be seen directly by looking at the back of our eyes, the optic nerve and part of the retina.

In the study, published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica, health experts examined donated tissue from the retina and brain. The samples were collected over 14 years from 86 donors with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Afterwards, the researchers made a comparison between samples obtained from individuals who have regular cognitive ability and those who have mild cognitive impairment or advanced Alzheimer’s disease,

In people with mild cognitive impairment or advanced Alzheimer’s disease, the study found a significant increase in beta-amyloid, a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease. According to the study published on the news platform CNN, in people with cognitive issues, microglial cells (responsible for repairing and maintaining other cells) declined by 80%.

“The findings were evident even in people with no or minimal cognitive symptoms, which suggests that these new eye tests may be well positioned to aid in early diagnosis,” Dr. Isaacson said.

Such studies will help design imaging techniques and more accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.