2023-05-01 12:31:48
In Los Angeles, researchers have discovered that people with Alzheimer’s have damage to the retina caused by Alzheimer’s proteins. This discovery may be important in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Assisted by a grant of 50,000 euros from Alzheimer Nederland, Frederique Hart de Ruyter is further researching these proteins. She not only looks at Alzheimer’s, but also at other forms of dementia. While eye scans are not yet part of the diagnosis, this research could mean a lot in the future. This is reported by Alzheimer Nederland.
According to Hart de Ruyter, there are many similarities between brain tissue and our retina. “They consist of the same type of cells and our immune system, for example, works about the same here as in the brain. The body also protects these important tissues well with the so-called blood-brain and blood-retina barrier.” This protective layer prevents dangerous substances such as bacteria and viruses from entering the blood vessels.
The brain has been changing for some time before the first signs of dementia are finally noticed. Using these similarities between brain tissue and retina, researchers are looking at whether these changes can be detected early in the retina. The LA scientists have already been able to find the harmful protein amyloid in the retinas of donors with Alzheimer’s. It also turned out that the amount of harmful protein is associated with memory complaints.
View of the future
While the results look promising, the research is only at the beginning. The research team at Hart de Ruyter are analyzing an even larger group of retinas, which are being compared with brain tissue from the same group of donors. “That comparison is very important. Not everyone with harmful proteins in the brain has dementia symptoms. We receive the retinas, brain tissue and information about memory problems and dementia through the Dutch Brain Bank. There are now 200 donors and more and more. This collaboration is very valuable to us.” Unfortunately, they are not yet at the same results as the US research team.
The eye scan will therefore have to wait a while, reports Hart de Ruyter. The research is still being carried out on retinas and brains of deceased people, whereby harmful proteins can be properly examined with staining. “Demonstrating these proteins with an eye scan in living people is one step further. We are already working on this, but it will be years before we can use eye scans in practice. An eye scan would be a very easy and cheap way to detect dementia early. And that is important, especially when medicines come on the market that can inhibit or stop dementia.”
By: National Care Guide
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