Cedars-Sinai Advances Research That Could Aid Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Three recently published studies from Cedars-Sinai investigators have deepened knowledge of how changes in the eye are linked to indicators of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain. The eye-brain connection could help physicians diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s disease earlier, a key factor in developing effective treatments. “The retina, a layer of tissue at the back of the eye, is part of the central nervous system and is directly connected with the brain,” said Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, PhD, professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology and Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai and senior author all three studies. “It has similar cell types and vascular structures to the brain, but is not shielded by bone, so it is more accessible to noninvasive imaging. Our latest research unearths new details about the eye-brain connection.”