summary: A new study has identified markers that can detect the presence of Parkinson’s disease in eye scans, on average, seven years before clinical symptoms appear. The study, the largest of its kind, used artificial intelligence to analyze retinal images to reveal early indicators of Parkinson’s disease.
In the innovative field of ophthalmology, eye scans have revealed signs of various neurodegenerative conditions. This development offers hope for early intervention and prevention of debilitating diseases.
Important facts:
- Retinal imaging detected Parkinson’s disease markers 7 years before clinical presentation.
- The study used AI to analyze the AlzEye dataset and confirmed the results with the UK Biobank database.
- This ‘oculomics’ technology has so far identified early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia.
sauce: UCL
A team of researchers at UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital identified markers of the presence of Parkinson’s disease in patients an average of seven years before clinical symptoms appeared.
This is the first time these findings have been presented several years before diagnosis, and these results were made possible by the largest study of retinal imaging in Parkinson’s disease to date.
This research is today neurology Identify Parkinson’s disease markers in eye scans with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
Analysis of the AlzEye dataset was repeated using the more extensive UK Biobank database (healthy volunteers) to replicate the findings.
Despite the relatively low prevalence of Parkinson’s disease (0.1-0.2% of the population), these two large and powerful datasets enabled the team to identify these subtle markers. became. The generation of the AlzEye dataset was made possible by INSIGHT, the world’s largest database of retinal images and associated clinical data.
An exciting emerging field of research called “ophthalmology” uses eye scan data to reveal signs of other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and most recently schizophrenia. has become
Eye scans and eye data also revealed trends in hypertension. Cardiovascular disease, including stroke. and diabetes.
Doctors have long known that the eye can act as a “window” to other parts of the body, giving us direct insight into many aspects of our health.
High-resolution images of the retina are now a routine part of eye care, especially a type of 3D scanning known as “optical coherence tomography” (OCT), which is widely used in eye clinics and high-end opticians. It has been. In less than a minute, an OCT scan produces a cross-section of the retina (back of the eye) with stunning detail down to 1/1000th of a millimeter.
While these images are very useful for monitoring eye health, retinal scans are even more valuable because they are the only non-invasive way to observe the cell layers beneath the skin surface. .
In recent years, researchers have begun using powerful computers to accurately analyze large amounts of OCT and other eye images in a fraction of the time it takes humans.
Using a type of AI known as “machine learning,” computers can now reveal hidden information about the whole body from just these images. Oculomics takes advantage of this new possibility.
Lead author Dr. Siegfried Wagner (UCL Eye Institute and Moorefields Eye Hospital), who has also been principal investigator of several other AlzEye studies, said: Although we are not yet ready to predict whether an individual will develop Parkinson’s disease, we hope that this method will soon become a pre-screening tool for people at risk for the disease.
“Being able to detect the signs of many diseases before symptoms appear will give people time to make lifestyle changes to prevent the development of any symptoms in the future, and help clinicians find life-changing neurodegenerative diseases.” It means that onset and effects can be delayed.”
The study included Moorefields Eye Hospital, Birmingham University Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), Oxford University Hospital, University College Hospital, London, and the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Human Services) Biomedical Research Center at UCL Great Ormond. It includes joint research between Street Child Health Institute. Research coverage and quality have been maximized through these exceptional NHS research partnerships.
Professor Alastair Deniston, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Birmingham University Hospital, Professor at the University of Birmingham and a member of the NIHR Moorfields BRC, said: look. It is now possible to detect the very early signs of Parkinson’s disease, opening up new possibilities for treatment. ”
Moorefields Medical Director, Dr Louisa Wickham, explained: “Increasing imaging testing to a wider population will have a tremendous impact on public health in the future, ultimately leading to predictive analytics. For this purpose, OCT scanning is more scalable than brain scanning, It’s non-invasive, low-cost and fast.”
Further technical and background information about the study
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disease characterized by depletion of dopamine, and postmortem examinations of Parkinson’s disease patients have revealed differences in the retinal INL (inner nuclear layer).
Previous studies using OCT scans have found potential morphological abnormalities associated with this disease, but are inconsistent.
This study confirms previous reports that the GCIPL (ganglionocyte-inner plexiform layer) is significantly thinner, and at the same time finds for the first time a thinner INL. In addition, reduced thickness of these layers was also found to be associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, beyond the risk posed by other factors and comorbidities.
Future studies are needed to determine whether the progression of GCIPL atrophy is driven by brain changes in Parkinson’s disease or whether INL thinning precedes GCIPL atrophy. Exploring this could help explain the mechanisms and determine whether retinal imaging can support the diagnosis, prognosis, and complex management of patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Also, this study lacked detailed clinical information about the patient’s Parkinson’s disease status (exact date of diagnosis, treatment pattern, current therapy), suggesting that retinal changes may be related to disease duration and progression. There is
About this Visual Neuroscience and Parkinson’s Research News
author: Chris Lane
sauce: UCL
contact: Chris Lane – UCL
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