Using the eye as a window into the brain
Patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at an increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition where individuals experience noticeable problems with their memory and thinking. While MCI itself isn’t a severe condition, it could be an early sign of dementia – which is why it is essential that T2D patients be effectively screened for the condition. According to Rafael Simó, a professor of Medicine and Endocrinology at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital(opens in new window), that screening should start with the eye. “As the retina is ontogenically a brain-derived tissue, it has the potential to serve as an easily accessible and non-invasive way of examining the pathology of the brain,” he says. With the support of the EU-funded RECOGNISED(opens in new window) project, Simó looks to use the eye as a window to the brain. “Our goal is to turn the retina into a tool for identifying those T2D patients who are at a higher risk of developing cognitive decline or dementia,” he adds.
A useful way for identifying mild cognitive impairment in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Using microperimetry and a portable electroretinography device, researchers collected and analysed data from the eyes of over 300 T2D patients. What they found is that this approach, used in combination with simple clinical variables, is a useful way of identifying MCI in patients with T2D. “Since the parameters used are not influenced by the patient’s mood or depression, it seems that this strategy could optimise the screening of MCI for this particular population,” explains Simó. The project also found that visuo-construction is the first and most affected domain in T2D patients with MCI. Notably, this impairment was independently related to retinal sensitivity and gaze fixation, the two parameters assessed using microperimetry.
Leveraging even more insights from the collected data
Having conducted many retinal and brain examinations, the RECOGNISED project generated a huge amount of data. While it has used this data to make some important findings, to leverage its full potential, the project is collaborating with other research initiatives. It is also looking to leverage advancements in artificial intelligence to help further analyse the collected data. “We have laid the groundwork for building practical tools that could be easily incorporated into the healthcare systems aimed at identifying MCI in patients with T2D,” concludes Simó. “This will have important implications in the management of diabetes and will help reduce the associated economic burden.” Project researchers are currently putting the final touches on several articles set to be published in high-impact scientific and medical journals. Furthermore, the clinical sites involved in the project have all committed to extending patient follow-up from 30 to 54 months – a move that will certainly result in even more insights into how medicine can use the eye as a window into the brain.
Keywords
RECOGNISED, brain, eye exams, Type 2 diabetes, diabetes, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, medicine, retina, microperimetry, artificial intelligence, electroretinography device
