Analysis of the retina of the eye by artificial intelligence could become a key indicator in the early detection of neurological and metabolic diseases, confirms a team of researchers.
- A vast international study reveals that retinal thickness could become a key tool to detect diseases such as type 2 diabetes, dementia and multiple sclerosis early.
- By analyzing 50,000 images of retinas thanks to AI, the researchers identified 294 genes linked to these pathologies. This advance reinforces the oculomic field, which uses the eye as a non -invasive biomarker.
- Ultimately, retinal imagery could be integrated into routine medical examinations for earlier and accessible screening for neurological diseases, like mammographies for breast cancer screening.
An international team of researchers, led by Institut Walter and Eliza Hall (Wehi) in Australia, carried out one of the largest ophthalmological studies ever carried out. By analyzing more than 50,000 images of retinas using artificial intelligence, they discovered that retinal thickness could become a key indicator in early detection of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, dementia or multiple sclerosis. Their work was published in the journal Nature Communications.
The retina, a window on the brain
The retina is part of the central nervous system, just like the brain and spinal cord. However, many diseases, including neurodegeneratives such as Alzheimer’s and metabolic disease such as diabetes, are linked to alterations in this system. With nearly 3 billion people worldwide suffering from a neurological disorder, according to a Major Lancet study From 2021, the interest of new screening methods appears more than ever crucial.
“Our work shows that retinal imagery can act as a window on the brain, revealing links with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and many other conditions”abound the researchers in a press release. The analysis has highlighted new genetic factors influencing the thickness of the retina (its growth, its development …), reinforcing its potential as “Diagnostic biomarker”. Scientists were able to identify a “Ambount of the retina linked to 294 genes that play a crucial role in the evolution of diseases”.
Towards systematic screening?
The study stresses that artificial intelligence has been decisive to meet the mass of genetic data and the health information of participants, offering unprecedented retinal cartography. These discoveries complete scientific knowledge around the oculomic, an emerging field which uses examination of the eye to predict and diagnose diseases in a non -invasive manner. The researchers hope that their work will make it possible to integrate retinal analysis into current medical examinations, like mammograms for breast cancer screening.
