This will give people time to prepare.
Changes in vision that affect tasks like reading, writing, driving, color perception, and depth judgment may serve as early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia.
Previous research has explored the relationship between physical alterations in the eyes, such as damage to blood vessels, and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, studies have investigated the potential of using retinal scans as a non-invasive means of detecting the condition.
Beta-amyloid plaques, considered a primary contributor to Alzheimer’s in the brain, have been identified in the retina and lens of the eye, suggesting promising avenues for early detection.
A recent study by researchers at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom suggests that a decline in visual sensitivity could forecast Alzheimer’s disease up to 12 years before the typical diagnosis. The study analyzed data from over 8,000 healthy adults enrolled in the EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Cohort Study.
Participants underwent visual sensitivity testing, which evaluates their visual processing speed and reaction time. This computerized test required participants to respond when they detected a triangle forming amidst moving dots on a screen.
Visual sensitivity, as explained by Ahmet Begde, a doctoral researcher involved in the study, refers to an individual’s ability to accurately and efficiently process visual information. A decline in visual sensitivity can lead to difficulties in various tasks, such as recognizing objects or faces, reading, and navigating familiar surroundings.
The decision to investigate visual sensitivity as a predictor of dementia stems from previous findings indicating that individuals with dementia often experience deficits in visual processing, even in the early stages of the condition. These impairments have been associated with an increased risk of future dementia development, underscoring the potential value of assessing visual processing abilities in dementia risk assessment.
The study revealed that participants with lower scores on the visual sensitivity test exhibited a heightened risk of future dementia diagnosis. Professor Eef Hogervorst, lead author of the study, emphasized that low scores on this test, particularly when combined with other memory and cognitive assessments, could indicate a heightened risk of dementia, offering valuable insights for early intervention and risk prediction.
The researchers intend to further explore the potential of visual sensitivity assessments in combination with other cognitive tests to enhance the accuracy of dementia risk prediction. Additionally, they aim to investigate the utility of visual sensitivity tests in monitoring responses to interventions such as exercise and assessing driving skills in individuals at risk for or diagnosed with dementia.
Discussion about this post