A new study is hoping the eyes can be a window into whether the proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease are present.
Dr. Alex Huang is the chief medical advisor of California-based Amydis. In partnership with Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Arizona, the company has developed an eye test that can detect amyloid in the retina.
"And then what Amydis did was to develop these special tracers that we can put in a vein," he said. "And then they identify and light up when they run into the disease protein."
It’s still in its early days.
"So it's very similar to what you experience, which is that a subject would put their face in a chin rest in the device. They just look at the camera. We would then give the tracer (by IV) and then it would take pictures to see if we could pick up the protein in the eye," Huang said.
Huang said at this point, the goal of their federally funded work is to study the tracers in people already living with Alzheimer’s disease.
"So people who have Alzheimer's who are interested in participating would first see a neurologist just to make sure they're the right patient," he explains. "Then they get sent to one of our eye care partners in the community also in Arizona, because they're the ones who have the cameras and are used to using them and taking the pictures."
Huang says most Americans see their eye-care providers far more than their primary doctors — meaning more people could be diagnosed sooner.
"And then the other thing is that once you do that, what does that mean? If we can see it, right? It means that if there is beta amyloid in the retinas, it's very certain that there's also beta amyloid in the brain," Huang said.
And early detection could potentially change the course of the disease in a person living with Alzheimer’s.
To participate or to learn more about this NIH-funded study, go to amydis.com/contact-us/ or contact Associated Retina Consultants (in partnership with Banner), Mallory Mintert at 480-999-5458 or [email protected].
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