Amyloid deposits in eyes provide a peek at Alzheimer’s disease risk

Eyes provide peek at Alzheimer’s disease risk
Amyloid deposits tagged by curcumin fluoresce in a retinal scan. Credit: NeuroVision

Amyloid plaques are protein deposits that collect between brain cells, hindering function and eventually leading to neuronal death. They are considered a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the focus of multiple investigations designed to reduce or prevent their formation, including the nationwide A4 study.

But may also occur in the retina of the eye, often in patients clinically diagnosed with AD, suggesting similar pathologies in both organs. In a small, cross-sectional study, a team of researchers, led by scientists at University of California San Diego…

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