A recent study has found that problems with vision can be an early indicator of cognitive decline and predict dementia 12 years before it is diagnosed. Researchers analyzed data from 8,623 healthy people in Norfolk, England, who underwent a visual sensitivity test to assess their ability to detect a triangle forming in a field of moving dots. Participants who would later develop dementia were significantly slower to complete the task compared to those who did not.
The study suggests that visual issues may be an early sign of cognitive decline due to the presence of toxic amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease, which can affect areas of the brain linked to vision before memory is impaired. This finding has implications for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s, as it may enable earlier detection and potentially improve patient outcomes.
In addition to visual sensitivity, other aspects of visual processing affected in Alzheimer’s disease include contrast sensitivity and color perception. People with dementia often struggle to ignore distracting stimuli, which can lead to eye-movement control issues and increase the risk of accidents, such as driving errors.
Researchers also found that individuals with dementia tend to process new people’s faces inefficiently, making it harder to recognize them. This may be related to ineffective eye movement for new faces, rather than a pure memory disorder. The study suggests that improving eye movement could potentially improve memory and reduce dementia risk.
While the findings are promising, further research is needed to develop effective diagnostic tools using eye-tracking technology. Currently, access to such technologies is limited due to high costs and the need for specialized training. As more affordable and user-friendly eye trackers become available, researchers may uncover new ways to predict and treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/your-vision-can-predict-dementia-12-years-before-diagnosis-study-discovers