Using computer software called ” Vampire ”, researchers from the University of Dundee, Scotland (United Kingdom), will try to set up a eye test to screen for dementia, and in particular Alzheimer’s disease.
Funded to the tune of 1.4 million euros over three years, the project aims to determine whether dementia warning signs can be detected using computer software, analyzing high definition images of the patient’s eye.
Current research suggests that changes in the organization of the ocular veins and arteries could be linked to certain diseases, such asStroke or cardiovascular disease …
“If you can look into someone’s eyes using an inexpensive machine and find something there that suggests a risk of developing dementia, then that’s an interesting proposition,” said Emmanuele Trucco, the project coordinator and professor of computer vision at the University of Dundee.
“This holds the promise of early, non-invasive disease alert, not to mention the fact that the test may be able to differentiate between different types of dementia. “
Evolving retinal vessels
The researchers will compare the measurements of thousands of eye images from patients with a family history of dementia, to see if a link can be made between ocular blood vessels and dementia.
“When changes occur in certain parts of the body,” explains Professor Tucco, “you can see differences in the vessels of the body. retina. For example, in width, some vessels become thinner, others wider, or twist. There are also differences in the way the ships split in two. “
Philip Nelson, CEO of the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) praised the initiative:
“The UK faces a huge challenge over the next few decades, we have an aging population and a likely increase in the number of people with dementia. This research project will improve our ability to detect and understand dementias, and how the disease progresses. “
