Investigators at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) have identified a new relationship between inflammation, a toxic protein and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and have found retinal tissue can show evidence of this protein and inflammation.
According to researchers, in Alzheimer's tau protein — which brain cells depend on for receiving nutrients and eliminating waste — may change and become toxic. Researchers believe this toxic protein may be the cause of inflammation within the brain of Alzheimer's patients.
Through their research, UTMB investigators studied retina tissue and found evidence of toxic tau protein and inflammation, leading them to believe the retina could be used for early detection of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases in a non-invasive, inexpensive way that would become a part of normal screenings done at patient check-ups.
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Source: The University of Texas Medical Branch