AI eye scanning technology could detect Parkinson's disease early

Liu Huadong

British scientists recently revealed that using AI technology in retinal imaging can detect Parkinson's disease markers in advance through eye scanning.

Researchers say eye scanning is an emerging field of research, and its scan data can reveal signs of some neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. Previously, clinicians often used the eyes as a "window" to identify and diagnose health conditions in other parts of the body. A 3D scanning technology called "optical coherence tomography (OCT)" is widely used in ophthalmology. In less than 1 minute, OCT scanning can obtain detailed images of retinal cross-sections and is accurate to one thousandth of a millimeter.

Retinal scanning is the only non-invasive way to see the layers of cells beneath the skin. In recent years, researchers have begun using powerful computer systems to accurately analyze large amounts of OCT and other eye images. A study of postmortem scans of people with Parkinson's disease revealed differences in their retinal inner nuclear layer (INL) and a thinner ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) compared with healthy people. Based on a "machine learning" artificial intelligence technology, the researchers obtained the hidden information of the human body through computer image analysis. For the first time, INL has been identified as a risk biomarker for Parkinson's disease, and it is also the first time that visual deterioration in Parkinson's disease patients has been detected approximately seven years before formal diagnosis.

It is important to detect signs of disease before symptoms appear, meaning people can make timely lifestyle changes and clinicians can help patients delay the onset and impact of neurodegenerative diseases. Alastair Denniston, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Birmingham, UK, said: "This study demonstrates the potential of ophthalmological data to detect subtle changes that humans cannot detect, helping to detect Parkinson's disease earlier. signs, bringing new possibilities for treatment.”

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