Protein in retina may warn of Alzheimer’s

An eye test that could spot Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages has been highlighted in a new study.

It was found that patients had more than twice as much of a tell-tale brain protein in their retinas. These may start to gather up to 20 years before symptoms emerge.

Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Being able to detect changes in amyloid using cost-effective and readily available methods would be a promising development.”

The study appeared in JCI Insight.