Scientists at University College London (UCL) have developed a low-cost and non-invasive eye test that could detect Parkinson's disease before symptoms develop.
According to researchers, the test examines changes in the retina that can be seen in Parkinson's before the first symptoms — such as tremors and muscle stiffness — become evident, as well as before changes to the brain occur. Scientists reportedly use ophthalmic instruments commonly used by optometrists and eye clinics.
For their research, UCL scientists reportedly performed the test on rats. When retinal changes were evident, researchers treated the animals with a newly formulated version of an anti-diabetic drug that helps to protect nerve cells. This reportedly resulted in reduced retina cell death and a protective effect on the brain, which suggests the drug could be a potential treatment for Parkinson's.
This method was recently published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica Communications.
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Source: University College London