Eye screenings may offer low-cost Alzheimer’s detection

BAR HARBOR, Maine — New research from the Jackson Laboratory (JAX) in Bar Harbor offers researchers hope for a new and efficient method to screen for Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The findings are based on studies conducted on mice, revealing a promising link between tissue decay in the retina and the brain. Dr. Gareth Howell, professor and researcher at JAX, says that vascular tissue decay is understood as a reliable predictor of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Historically, CT scans and other brain scans have been the standard for dementia detection; however, they have notable downsides.

“Brain imaging is really expensive and not accessible to all,” Howell explained.  “So, particularly in a rural state, like Maine, we need to find more convenient ways.”

Howell believes that his research indicates a reliable connection between what occurs in the eye and what is also occurring in the brain.

“It’s like an outpost of the brain. It is the brain sticking out of the skull,” Howell said.

Howell’s colleague, Dr. Alaina Reagan, says that investigating the retina of the eye for dementia screening is a goal she has had for years. The efforts at JAX are complemented by other research, which Reagan views as advancing the entire field.

“People are thinking more outside of the box more than we have in the past and coming at this problem from different angles,” Reagan said.

Screening for dementia could join the list of other screenings done at a routine eye doctor’s appointment, notes Dr. Jessica Barbay. “Photos are something we can get in less than a minute for our patients, and the cost is something of the order of $35.”

This will make screening both more accessible and affordable, potentially increasing the chance of early detection.

“Early intervention is really key,” Barbay said.

Howell hopes to expand his research and begin testing to see if his findings also appear in humans.

“Essentially matching up their brain vascular health with their retinal vascular health to see if we are right,” Howell said.

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