Tears appear to be a valuable source of information, according to recent research by Maastricht UMC+. More health indications can be read in tear fluid than previously known. A groundbreaking discovery is that signs of Alzheimer’s can be detected, for example, from tear fluid. This also opens the possibility of detecting other neurological disorders.
Alzheimer’s revealed through tears
When examining tear fluid, specific substances are checked that can reveal whether a person has a disease. Typically, tear fluid is analyzed for eye problems and inflammatory values. Marlies Gijs from the University Clinic for Ophthalmology in Maastricht explains: “Now we are going to investigate whether we can also find indications for neurological disorders.”
Volume problem
An obstacle that has been hindering so far has been the ‘volume problem’. Gijs explains: “One drop is not enough. When researching with blood, for example, an entire tube is needed for a thorough analysis. Such an analysis is not possible with just one drop.” Fortunately, the equipment is much more sensitive nowadays, for example the possibility of detecting the CovSars virus in tear fluid during the corona period.
The mirror of our body
Ophthalmologist Piet Meurs of the Eindhoven Eye Hospital does not find it surprising that tear fluid can reveal so much. “Tear fluid is the mirror of the inside of our body,” he says. In addition to the protective function for the cornea, which transmits light, the fluid also contains important antibodies against external infections. “You can actually regard tear fluid as a bit of blood, only it is much easier to obtain without a prick in the arm.”
According to Gijs, the future is near: “We have been able to identify the same proteins in tear fluid that were increased in people with Alzheimer’s, even in advanced stages of the disease. That is really a breakthrough.” Confirmatory research is currently being conducted, but the hope is that this method can also be used to diagnose Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease in the future.
How does it work?
The process works as follows: a thin, paper-like strip is pushed a small part behind the lower eyelid and remains there for a few minutes to absorb sufficient tear fluid. Although this may sound unpleasant, the alternatives to diagnosing are much more drastic.
Treatment method
Currently, Alzheimer’s is often diagnosed with memory tests, scans and a cerebrospinal fluid sample, often via a spinal tap. “This is drastic and can cause complications. Many patients are already taking blood thinners, which entails additional risks. As a result, it is not often performed and people are reluctant. Moreover, only the symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be treated and not the disease itself.”
To make the diagnosis in a more accessible way, a tear fluid examination would be much more accessible. “We ultimately want to use it as a diagnostic method, similar to a pregnancy test. Ideally, we would develop tear strips, with which the doctor can immediately see the result.” Although this is not yet possible, it is considerably more useful than reading diseases from cerebrospinal fluid. read here more.
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2023-12-12 15:49:00
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