Unbreakable
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 5,415
Alzheimer's and other diseases may be able to be detected by a simple eye test, before symptoms begin. Fluorescent markers are attached to dying cells in the eye and can then be seen in the retina.
These markers give an indication of brain cell death, which may point to Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain diseases. Also, the disease can be "followed" and tracked as the cell degeneration is shown in the retina over time.
Only dying cells absorb the dye used in the tests. Currently, expensive and nerve-wracking MRI tests are used to test for Alzheimer's and other dementia. The eye test was successfully used on mice.
source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8456323.stm
Sweet stuff
These markers give an indication of brain cell death, which may point to Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain diseases. Also, the disease can be "followed" and tracked as the cell degeneration is shown in the retina over time.
Only dying cells absorb the dye used in the tests. Currently, expensive and nerve-wracking MRI tests are used to test for Alzheimer's and other dementia. The eye test was successfully used on mice.
source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8456323.stm
Sweet stuff
