Newswise — LOS ANGELES (June 24, 2020) – Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages affects the integrity of small blood vessels in the retinas of patients, according to a recent study led by Cedars-Sinai. This discovery holds promise for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s through the retina, a back-of-the-eye organ that is an extension of the brain and easily accessible for live, noninvasive imaging.
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia and is characterized by a severe decline in memory and mental ability serious enough to affect daily life. It is estimated to affect more than 5.5 million people in the U.S., including about 10% of adults age 65 or older, and the incidence is rising, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s is presently incurable.
“We revealed early molecular and cellular loss in blood vessels together with accumulation of…
