Changes in the retina could be used to identify Parkinson’s disease in its earliest stages, British researchers say today.
Developers of the test at University College London say it could lead to the disease being identified before typical symptoms such as tremors and muscle stiffness become apparent.
They say it uses simple ophthalmic instruments.
It has so far been tested on a Parkinson’s model of rats. The test is already in use for glaucoma for humans and trials are about to begin for Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers say their studies also suggest that the diabetes drug Rosiglitazone might help to protect against the disease. The studies suggest it slowed cell death in the retina and offered a protective effect on the brain.
Researcher Professor Francesca Cordeiro said: "This is potentially a revolutionary breakthrough in the early diagnosis and treatment of one of the world’s most debilitating diseases.
“These tests mean we might be able to intervene much earlier and more effectively treat people with this devastating condition.”
Dr Eduardo Normando, from the Western Eye Hospital, added: “The evidence we have strongly suggests that we might be able to intervene much earlier and more effectively in treating people with this devastating condition, using this non-invasive and affordable imaging technique."
The retina as an early biomarker of neurodegeneration in a rotenone-induced model of Parkinson’s disease: evidence for a neuroprotective effect of rosiglitazone in the eye and brain. Acta Neuropathologica Communications 18 August 2016
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