U of MN develops retinal camera to detect Alzheimer’s earlier

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Center for Drug Design have developed a hyper-spectral imaging camera they hope will shed new light on the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The high-tech camera uses flashes of light to examine the retina of the eye. The way the retina reflects light or the presence of protein accumulation can be signs of early Alzheimer’s development.

“Our goal is to detect the disease as early as we can, which will help in the progression and the success of treatments as well as drug discovery,” Prof. Swati More, co-lead researcher, told the Minnesota Daily. 

Researchers say the technology could someday become part of routine eye exams or be used as an annual screening test. The project, which has been under development for several years and tested previously on mice, has now entered human clinical trials.

Watch a Minnesota Daily video showing how the camera works.

Pamela Tabar

Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master’s degree in English from the University of York, England.