2023-08-25 21:50:00
Eye Scans Could Detect Parkinson’s Disease Seven Years Before Symptoms, Study Finds
Parkinson’s disease is on the rise, with a 20 percent increase in cases among certain age groups since 1990. According to data from the German Society for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, there were already 6.1 million Parkinson’s patients worldwide in 2016, with 400,000 in Germany alone.
While the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be treated, the progression of the disease cannot be stopped. Therefore, early diagnosis and detection are crucial. Recently, researchers have made significant progress in this area.
A new study published in the journal Neurology suggests that eye scans could potentially detect Parkinson’s disease up to seven years before the onset of symptoms. Eye scans, known as optical coherence tomography, are non-invasive and can create a cross-section of the retina in under a minute. Many advanced eye clinics already use this technique as an early detection method for various diseases.
In the study, researchers analyzed the data of approximately 154,000 individuals who visited a London eye clinic between 2008 and 2018. They found certain signs of Parkinson’s disease on the retina, specifically a thinner retinal nerve fiber layer and a thinner inner nuclear layer. The study further revealed that there was an average time interval of around seven years between the appearance of these signs and the onset of the disease.
This breakthrough has been hailed as a major step forward in early detection and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Professor Alastair Denniston from the University of Birmingham stated, “We can now detect very early signs of Parkinson’s. This opens up completely new possibilities in treatment.” Louisa Wickham, director of the research center at Moorefield Eye Hospital, added that eye scans are cheaper, faster, and better for the brain.
The potential benefits of early detection are significant. Detecting signs of the disease before symptoms develop could allow individuals to take preventive measures to delay or even prevent the onset of symptoms. Lead author of the study, Siegfried Wagner, explained, “Finding signs of disease before symptoms develop may mean people can still take life-changing steps to prevent symptoms. Doctors could also delay the outbreak.”
This research offers hope to the millions of individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease and paves the way for further advancements in early detection methods. As the prevalence of Parkinson’s continues to increase, the ability to detect the disease at its earliest stages will be crucial in improving outcomes for patients.]
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