Alzheimer’s Disease presents a significant set of
challenges to the health and well being of the U.S. population-especially as
our population ages. The NIH National
Institute on Aging,
estimates that more than 5 million people may have Alzheimer’s Disease. It is
becoming more and more critical that we find ways to detect, diagnose and treat
Alzheimer’s Disease so as a society we can offer early intervention for
patients and their families.
Eye Movement Research & Alzheimer’s Disease
According to researchers reporting in Investigative
Ophthalmology & Vision Science a subtle change in eye movements may provide a useful diagnostic tool
for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease. In general, eye movements follow
a reproducible pattern during normal reading. Each eye movement ends up in a
fixation point, which allows the brain to process the incoming information and
to program the following movements. The
researchers found that Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) produces eye movement
abnormalities and disturbances in reading so that patients with early AD show
abnormal fixation patterns. So we now know that evaluation of eye movement
behavior during reading might provide a useful tool for a more precise early
diagnosis of AD and for monitoring the progress or stability of Alzheimer’s
Disease.
If you or someone you know has
questions or Alzheimer’s Disease and eye movements, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in
Fairfield County, Google+ or
facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.
Doctor & Associates offices
are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195
Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk,
Connecticut 06851.
