2024-02-16 07:00:21
Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide and causes significant physical, psychological and social consequences. Hence the importance of being able to identify this condition as early as possible in order to offer appropriate care. A study carried out by Bordeaux scientists from Inserm suggests that it would be possible to detect dementia with a simple retinal exam. Focus on the conclusions of their work.
The importance of detecting dementia early
Madness encompasses several diseases that affect memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily tasks. Its physical, psychological and social consequences are far from negligible and worsen over time. It affects more than 55 million people around the world, mainly elderly people.
This observation is all the more worrying as there is currently no no treatment for dementia. At the same time, the life expectancy of populations is increasing. Hence the importance of being able spot this condition as early as possible in order to prevent and mitigate the risks associated with dementia as much as possible.
Today, the scientific community knows that people with dementia have damage to small blood vessels associated with changes in the retina. But until now, no long-term study has been carried out on the possible links between the retinal blood vessel network and the occurrence of subsequent dementia. Based on this observation, Bordeaux researchers looked into the subject.
To know ! Blood vessels, particularly small ones, can become damaged with aging. In the brain, vascular lesions are associated with most dementias in the elderly.
Also Read – Eating Strawberries to Reduce the Risk of Dementia?
Identifying dementia with a retinal exam?
On the hypothesis that certain age-related pathologies present common mechanisms, scientists have been interested in epidemiological and clinical links between neurological diseases and eye diseases.
To carry out their work, the researchers studied the data of 500 people aged at least 72 years old and followed for 10 years as part of the “Three Cities” study. At recruitment, these people did not present cognitive disorders. During follow-up, they were subjected to cognitive and neurological tests as well as various examinations, including a fundus examination.
After analyzing the data, the scientists were able to observe that changes in retinal vasculature observed during fundus examination were associated with the onset of dementia with :
A higher risk of developing dementia in the following ten years for participants with increased arterial tortuosity in the retina. A higher risk of developing mixed or vascular dementia depending on venous diameter.
For the team of Bordeaux researchers, the presence of abnormalities in the micro vascularization of the retina could potentially help to identify people at risk of dementia.
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Towards earlier detection and better management of dementia?
Although this association needs to be confirmed by further studies, the authors are convinced that vascular abnormalities in the eye are a reflection of vascular abnormalities in the brain. Therefore, they support the merits of using a retinal exam to early identify people at highest risk of dementia. Especially since this ophthalmological examination would be much easier to access, much faster and less expensive than a brain imaging examination.
Next step for researchers? Conduct a similar study with a younger audience. The aim is to offer treatment as early as possible to people at risk to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment linked to dementia.
Read also – Too much alcohol precipitates the onset of dementia
Written and published by Déborah L., February 16, 2024, Doctor in Pharmacy
Sources
-Examining the retina would help identify dementia. www.inserm.fr. Accessed February 16, 2024.
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