Early Signs of Dementia Could Be Found in Eyes with New AI Tool
Scotland’s Eye-Opening Research
The NeurEye research team, led by the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow Caledonian University, has already collected nearly a million eye scans from opticians across Scotland, making it the largest dataset of its kind. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, they plan to analyze the images for patterns that could indicate a person’s risk of developing dementia, while also offering a broad picture of their overall brain health.
“The blood vessels and neural pathways of the retina and brain are intimately related. But, unlike the brain, we can see the retina with the simple, inexpensive equipment found in every high street in the UK and beyond,” Baljean Dhillon, professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh, said.
A Growing Problem
In 2024, an estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. As the population continues to age, that number is only expected to grow. The NeurEye team is optimistic that AI-powered eye scans will one day enable optometrists to identify early signs of dementia during routine exams.
“The software could lead to earlier diagnoses, providing patients and their families with a critical head start in managing the memory-robbing disease. It could also potentially be used as a way to monitor cognitive decline, experts say,” Dhillon added.
Get the Latest Breakthroughs in Medicine, Diet & Nutrition Tips and More
Subscribe to our weekly Post Care newsletter!
One Family’s Heartbreaking Journey
David Steele, a retired mechanical engineer from Scotland, knows firsthand the toll of a late diagnosis. His mother had been visiting the optometrist regularly as her vision worsened. Initially diagnosed with macular degeneration, it wasn’t until later that doctors realized the real cause was cerebral blindness linked to Alzheimer’s.
“In an interview with BBC Scotland News, Steele shared how an earlier diagnosis could have given his family much-needed time to prepare for his mother’s cognitive decline before it became too severe,” said Dhillon.
Conclusion
The development of an AI-powered eye scan tool has the potential to revolutionize the detection and diagnosis of dementia. By analyzing eye scans for patterns that indicate a person’s risk of developing dementia, optometrists may be able to identify early signs of the disease during routine exams. This could lead to earlier diagnoses, providing patients and their families with a critical head start in managing the disease.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the NeurEye research team’s project?
A: The project aims to develop a digital tool capable of detecting the early signs of neurodegenerative disease by analyzing eye scans using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Q: What is the potential benefit of an AI-powered eye scan tool for dementia diagnosis?
A: The tool could lead to earlier diagnoses, providing patients and their families with a critical head start in managing the memory-robbing disease. It could also potentially be used as a way to monitor cognitive decline, experts say.
Q: What is the estimated number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2024?
A: An estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2024.
