Artificial intelligence eye test for early detection of dementia

The NeurEYE project, led by teams from the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow Caledonian University, aims to integrate these findings into routine eye tests.
UK researchers are developing an artificial intelligence eye test to detect early signs of dementia by analysing retinal scans for biomarkers such as changes in blood vessels, tissue thinning and amyloid deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease. The NeurEYE project, led by teams from the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow Caledonian University, aims to integrate these findings into routine eye tests. 
The artificial intelligence system is being trained on almost one million retinal scans and compared against anonymised patient data, demographics and medical histories. Supported by collaborations with pharmaceutical companies such as Eisai, Gates Ventures and research institutions, the project is part of a larger initiative to explore tools for predicting dementia risk using brain scans and speech analysis. 
The retina, which is intimately connected to the brain, offers a non-invasive way to assess brain health using common optical equipment, making early detection accessible and inexpensive. Such prognostic tools could improve the time to diagnosis, speed up treatment development and offer better monitoring of cognitive decline. 
Retired engineer David Steele, whose mother experienced a late Alzheimer's diagnosis, believes such advances could prevent years of hardship for families by establishing the link between brain and eye health earlier. | BGNES