Results of four new research trials suggest that changes to the eyes and ability to smell may be valuable in the early detection of Alzheimer’s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reports presented at the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen revealed that eye exams could be used to identify build-up of beta amyloid in the brain, while a decreased ability to identify odors may be an early sign of cognitive impairment. <\/p>\n
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the development of brain plaques, and beta-amyloid is their primary component. Plaques start to develop years before cognitive decline and memory loss. In two of the studies, measuring the level of beta-amyloid in the eye correlated with brain beta-amyloid levels and was accurate in identifying people with Alzheimer’s.<\/p>\n
In the other two studies, loss of brain cell function and the progression to Alzheimer’s disease was associated with a decreased ability to identify smell.<\/p>\n
These findings point to potential avenues for early detection (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Results of four new research trials suggest that changes to the eyes and ability to smell may be valuable in the early detection of Alzheimer’s.\u00a0 Reports presented at the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen revealed that eye exams…<\/span><\/p>\n