Eye Test May Facilitate Detection of Neurological Diseases including Alzheimer’s

In that nerve cell death is the key event in all neurodegenerative disorders, until recently researchers have found it difficult to study the processes of apoptosis and necrosis both dynamically and in real time. Francesca Cordeiro, from University College London (United Kingdom), and colleagues have developed a new technique that enables retinal, and therefore brain cell death, to be directly measured in real time. Utilizing an animal model, the team used fluorescent markers that attach themselves to the relevant cells and indicate the stage of cell death. The retina is then observed using a customised laser ophthalmoscope. Until now, this kind of technique has only been used in cells in the lab, rather than in live animals. This research is therefore the first ever in vivo demonstration of retinal nerve cell death in Alzheimer's Disease.  It is posited that this model not only may refine diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders and help track disease progress, but may also aid the assessment and development of new treatments.