A study showed that there is a link between Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome. On the other hand, scientists are now developing an eye test that can be useful for people because it can detect Alzheimer’s disease.
A research proposed last January 15, in London, U.K that a simple eye test could detect the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease early in life, thus early treatment can be given. Now a research was again conducted and the new five year study, which is published in Journal pLos One, looked at the links between dementia and cataracts in people with Down’s syndrome. Dr Lee Goldstein, of Boston University’s Alzheimer’s disease Centre stated that “People with Down’s syndrome develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s-type dementia often by the age of 30. This is because they have an extra copy of a key Alzheimer’s gene that leads to increased amyloid-beta accumulation in the brain. We discovered that this same protein starts to accumulate very early in the lens of the eye, even in children.”
The researchers discovered and supposed that the same protein could be found in the eyes of people without Down’s syndrome who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The results were striking as stated by Dr David Hunt, an Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at Children’s Hospital Boston and Vice Chairman.
How can the eye test detect Alzheimer’s disease? In the research that was proposed earlier in London, the researchers stated that the test involves applying eye drops or injection and then clicking a photograph of the eye with an infra-red camera. A chemical marker is then used to highlight the nerve cell damage. How ever, with the results of the recent study, the scientists say they are developing an eye scanner to measure amyloid beta in the lens.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia among old people. It is very serious since it affects the ability of the person to perform daily activities. Down syndrome also affects the person mentally and knowing now that they have connection, it is a good thing that they are planning for ways in preventing it, like the use of Eye test.
Related posts: