Retina
The researchers found that the same changes found in the brains of patients with FTD after death are also seen in the retina of the eyes of these patients. “This will provide new opportunities for patients and research into treatments and medicines,” said researcher Frederique Hart de Ruijter.
Dead
Until now, FTD could only be diagnosed with certainty after the death of a patient by autopsy, in which a specific protein (TDP-43) was found in the brain. Thanks to this new research, it seems possible to detect FTD during life with an eye exam.
Detecting earlier stages of dementia
Hart de Ruijter explains: “This allows people to find out if they have depression at an early stage, perhaps years before the first symptoms appear. Not only does this help patients better prepare for the future, but it also opens doors for early participation in scientific research into new treatments and medications for depression.”
Retinal changes
The research was carried out in collaboration with the Netherlands Brain Bank and examined the eyes of more than 100 deceased people. The focus was particularly on the presence of specific proteins that indicate neurodegenerative disorders. The results show that the changes in the retina mirror those in the brain. This represents an important step in diagnosing FTD during life.
2024-09-26 18:03:41
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