High-Speed Eye Tests Detect “Invisible” Brain Injuries

 How will your competent? doctor use this to objectively determine damage from your stroke? And then provide EXACT PROTOCOLS to fix such damage! 

Oh NO, your doctor HAS NOTHING!

High-Speed Eye Tests Detect “Invisible” Brain Injuries

Summary: Can a single concussion from your youth still affect your brain ten or twenty years later? A new study suggests the answer is yes.

Researchers used advanced eye-tracking technology to show that people who suffered concussions more than a decade ago still exhibit significant “neurological “lag” in how their eyes track moving objects. These subtle deficits, invisible to the naked eye or standard clinical exams, indicate that the brain’s “internal map” for movement and timing may never fully reset after a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Key Facts

• The “Lag” Discovery: Participants with a history of concussions showed a delayed reaction in “pursuit eye movements”—the ability to smoothly follow a moving target.
• Decades of Impact: The neurological deficits were present in individuals whose last head injury occurred over 10 to 15 years ago, suggesting that some post-concussion changes are permanent.
• Beyond Standard Tests: These patients often passed traditional cognitive and physical exams, but the high-speed eye-tracking revealed “micro-stutters” in brain-to-eye communication.
• Brainstem & Cerebellum: The researchers believe the trauma affects long-term signaling in the brainstem and cerebellum, regions responsible for fine motor control and predictive timing.
• Predictive Tool: This study positions eye-tracking as a powerful, non-invasive biomarker for “hidden” brain trauma and could help identify those at higher risk for neurodegenerative diseases later in life.

Source: University of Colorado

A study from researchers at the CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health suggests that veterans with concussions may continue to show subtle but measurable brain function differences more than a decade after their injury.

Researchers found these differences can be detected through specialized eye movement testing.

New research shows that eye-tracking technology can uncover subtle, persistent neurological deficits in individuals decades after a concussion. Credit: Neuroscience News

The findings were recently published in the Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology.

Mild traumatic brain injuries are common among military service members and occur in athletes and civilians through sports impacts, car accidents and falls. While most individuals recover within weeks or months, the new research indicates that some may experience lingering changes in attention, processing speed and impulse control long after symptoms appear to resolve.

Eye Movements Reveal Subtle Brain Changes

“The eyes are directly connected to brain networks that control attention, information processing and decision-making,” said the study’s lead investigator Jeffrey Hebert, PhD, PT, associate professor at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine and director of research for the CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health.

“By studying how someone’s eyes move during a cognitively demanding task, we can detect subtle brain changes that might not appear on a standard bedside exam or brain scan.”

The study evaluated 78 military veterans, including 38 with a history of mild traumatic brain injury and 40 without. Participants completed a series of eye movement tasks and cognitive tests designed to measure executive function of attention, processing speed and self-control.

Researchers found that veterans with prior concussions were more likely to demonstrate slower and less accurate eye movements along with reduced performance on certain attention-based tasks. Some of these differences were still measurable more than 10 years after the original injury.

Hebert said eye movements rely on complex networks across multiple regions of the brain. Tasks that require individuals to quickly look away from a visual target and tasks that require rapid visual recognition and verbalization of a viewed object test not only visual function but also cognitive control.

This includes the ability to focus, suppress impulses and respond quickly and accurately. Because these processes depend on widespread neural connections, several mild injuries may leave lasting but difficult to detect effects.

“Even when someone feels recovered, their brain may still be working differently behind the scenes, especially during visually demanding tasks and in busy environments” Hebert said. “Objective eye movement testing gives us a measurable way to assess these often covert problems.”

Implications for Concussion Care

The findings could have important implications for long term concussion care.

“Standard imaging tools such as MRI scans often appear normal after mild brain injury, making persistent symptoms difficult to verify objectively,” Hebert said. “Cognitively challenging eye movement assessments may provide clinicians with an additional tool to better understand ongoing cognitive concerns and more precisely tailor rehabilitation strategies.

Although the study focused on military veterans, the results may apply more broadly to athletes, first responders and civilians who have experienced concussions.

The team emphasizes that most individuals recover well from mild traumatic brain injury. However, identifying those who continue to experience subtle effects could improve follow up care, long term monitoring and treatment planning optimizing healthier brain adaptation.

Future studies will explore whether incorporating cognitively challenging eye movement testing into routine concussion evaluations could help clinicians better identify traumatic brain injury, track recovery and guide treatment decisions.

Funding: The research was funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Department of Defense, Vision Research Program Award.

Key Questions Answered:

Q: I had a concussion 10 years ago but I feel fine. Should I be worried?

A: Not necessarily. The “lag” found in this study is often imperceptible in daily life because the brain is incredibly good at compensating. However, it shows that the injury left a permanent “fingerprint” on your neural wiring. It’s a reminder to be extra protective of your head health as you age.

Q: Why use eye tests to check the brain?

A: Tracking a moving object is one of the most complex tasks the brain performs. it requires perfect synchronization between your vision, your balance (vestibular system), and your motor control. If there is a “hitch” in the brain’s wiring anywhere, an eye test will catch it before almost any other exam.

Q: Could this lead to a better way to diagnose concussions?

A: Absolutely. Current “sideline” tests are often subjective. High-speed eye-tracking provides objective, mathematical data. If we know your “baseline” eye speed, we can tell instantly if a new hit has caused a disruption in your neural pathways.

Editorial Notes:

• This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.
• Journal paper reviewed in full.
• Additional context added by our staff.

About this eye tracking and TBI research news

Author: Laura Kelley
Source: University of Colorado
Contact: Laura Kelley – University of Colorado
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Closed access.
“Ocular Motor Control and Cognitive Function in Military Veterans With Chronic Mild Traumatic Brain Injury” by Hebert, Jeffrey R. PhD, PT; Wagner, Brandie D. PhD; Filley, Christopher M. MD; Crowder, Kayla L. PT, DPT, NCS; Rubinstein, David MD; McNamara, Stephen M. OD; Johnston-Brooks, Catharine H. PhD; Karki, Ramesh MS; McCann, Ashley V. PT, DPT, NCS; Subramanian, Prem S. MD, PhD. Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology
DOI:10.1097/WNO.0000000000002435

Eye Exams Could Spot Alzheimer’s Decades Before Symptoms Appear

 

Do you really think your competent? doctor has enough functioning brain cells to implement this and create EXACT PROTOCOLS to prevent Alzheimer's post stroke? I don't.

Your doctor knew about this almost a year ago. WAS ANYTHING DONE? NO? So, your doctor is fucking incompetent?

Alzheimer's can be diagnosed after visit to an eye doctor - key sign to look out for October 2024

The latest here:

Eye Exams Could Spot Alzheimer’s Decades Before Symptoms Appear

Summary: Eye exams could help detect Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms arise. By studying mice with a common genetic mutation, researchers found abnormal changes in retinal blood vessels that paralleled brain changes linked to dementia risk.

Because the retina functions as an accessible extension of the brain, these findings highlight its potential as a powerful biomarker. The research paves the way for routine eye exams to aid in early diagnosis and intervention for Alzheimer’s and related conditions.

Key Facts

• Retina as Brain Window: The retina shares tissue with the brain, making it a reliable site to track neurological health.
• Genetic Risk Factor: Mice with the MTHFR677C>T mutation showed early retinal vessel abnormalities tied to dementia.
• Clinical Potential: Routine eye exams could one day detect Alzheimer’s risk 20 years before symptoms appear.

Source: Jackson Laboratory

Within the next few years, doctors may be able to spot signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias using routine eye exams well before symptoms appear, a new study suggests.

The research, recently published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, links abnormal changes in the tiny blood vessels of the retinas of mice with a common genetic mutation known to increase Alzheimer’s disease risk.

Even though more studies are needed to gain a deeper understanding of how vascular health in the retina affects the risk of dementia, the new insights have important implications for people with this genetic factor, Reagan said. Credit: Neuroscience News

The findings build on previous work from the same group at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), which found similar vascular changes in mice’s brains and linked abnormalities in specific retinal cells to early dementia risk, strengthening the case that the retina is a powerful biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

“If you’re at an optometrist or ophthalmologist appointment, and they can see odd vascular changes in your retina, that could potentially represent something that is also happening in your brain, which could be very informative for early diagnostics,” said Alaina Reagan, a neuroscientist at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) who led the work with Gareth Howell, professor and Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Chair for Glaucoma Research at JAX who spearheaded the previous study.  

Because the retina is part of the central nervous system, scientists often see it as an extension of the brain that shares essentially the same tissue. That’s why changes in retinal blood vessels can offer early clues about brain health and diseases like Alzheimer’s, Reagan said.

“Your retina is essentially your brain, but it’s much more accessible because your pupil is just a hole, and we can see tons of stuff,” Reagan explained.

“All the cells are very similar, all the neurons are quite similar, all the immune cells are quite similar, and they behave similarly under pressure if you’ve got a disease.”

The team studied mice with a mutation called MTHFR^677C>T, which is found in up to 40% of people. They found that the mice’s retinas had twisted vessels, narrowed and swollen arteries, and less vessel branching as early as six months of age.

This reflects similar changes in the brain linked to poor blood flow and increased risk of cognitive decline. Vessels that appear more twisted and looped than normal can signal problems with hypertension, as the narrowing tissue limits nutrient and oxygen transport, Reagan said.

“We can see these wavy vessels in the retinas, which can occur in people with dementia,” Reagan said. “That speaks to a more systemic problem, not just a brain- or retina-specific problem. It could be a blood pressure problem affecting everything.”

In 2022, a study by the same group revealed similar vascular changes in the brains of mice with the same MTHFR^677C>T mutation, highlighting the link between vascular health in the retina that resembles human disease.

“These mice have fewer vessels in their cortex and reduced blood flow to their brains,” Reagan said. “These changes are subtle, but they are there.”

The team also discovered changes in protein patterns in both the brain and retina. They found disruptions in how cells produce energy, remove damaged proteins, and maintain the structure and support of blood vessels, offering important clues about how the MTHFR^677C>T mutation affects the eye.

The results also support a growing theory that blood vessel health plays a central role in neurodegenerative diseases, Reagan said.

“A lot of these molecular changes are happening in conjunction, which suggests these systems in brain and retinal tissue are working in tandem,” she said.

Even though more studies are needed to gain a deeper understanding of how vascular health in the retina affects the risk of dementia, the new insights have important implications for people with this genetic factor, Reagan said.

For example, the study also captured the influence of sex and age, with female mice showing worse outcomes. By 12 months, they showed reduced vessel density and branching, highlighting progressive vascular changes. Similarly, women develop dementia more often than men, according to the World Health Organization.   

To see if the link between the mutation and vascular changes occurs in humans, as well as whether the new insight could be used in eye exams, the team is partnering with clinicians and dementia care specialists at Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine.

The idea is to study not just one cause or solution for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as these conditions depend on many different genetic and environmental factors, but to learn more about how eye health adds to overall risk for these diseases. If the clinicians know which signs to look for, they could communicate those risk factors to patients and recommend further tests.

“Most people over 50 have some kind of vision impairment and get checked annually for prescription changes,” Reagan said.

“Are they more at risk if they have these vascular changes, and is that a point when doctors could start mitigating brain changes? That could be 20 years before cognitive damage becomes noticeable to patients and their families.”

Other authors are Michael MacLean, Travis L. Cossette, and Gareth R. Howell from The Jackson Laboratory.

About this visual neuroscience and Alzheimer’s disease research news

Author: Roberto Molar
Source: Jackson Laboratory
Contact: Roberto Molar – Jackson Laboratory
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access.
“Retinal vascular dysfunction in the Mthfr677C>T mouse model of cerebrovascular disease” by Alaina Reagan et al. Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Alzheimer's can be diagnosed after visit to an eye doctor - key sign to look out for

 

With your elevated chances of dementia post stroke,  your competent? doctor is responsible for preventing that! Have they taken on that responsibility? Or are they DOING NOTHING?

With your chances of getting dementia post stroke, you need prevention solutions. YOUR DOCTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PREVENTING THIS!

1. A documented 33% dementia chance post-stroke from an Australian study?   May 2012.

2. Then this study came out and seems to have a range from 17-66%. December 2013.`    

3. A 20% chance in this research.   July 2013.

4. Dementia Risk Doubled in Patients Following Stroke September 2018 

 

The latest here: 

Alzheimer's can be diagnosed after visit to an eye doctor - key sign to look out for

Experts have revealed that one visual symptom can help doctors predict Alzheimer's disease.

A team led by UC San Francisco has identified several visual symptoms linked to a degenerative visual condition found in Alzheimer's patients. Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), also known as Benson's syndrome, often signals the onset of Alzheimer's disease. It can be diagnosed by an eye doctor if they know what to look for. Symptoms include trouble with spatial judgment, difficulty identifying movement, and problems performing everyday tasks.

Despite normal eye exams, this disorder is often missed. The researchers aimed to "improve PCA characterization and recommendations." The study, published in Lancet Neurology, involved data from over 1,000 patients across 36 sites in 16 countries. It focused on a lesser-known aspect of Alzheimer's that affects visual processing.

The researchers found that PCA overwhelmingly predicts Alzheimer's. Some 94 percent of PCA patients had Alzheimer's symptoms or a diagnosis, while the remaining 6 percent had conditions like Lewy body disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

General thinking skills aren't usually affected early in PCA, but mild dementia symptoms often show up by the time patients are diagnosed. This is typically nearly four years after symptoms first appear. The average age of PCA onset is 59, which is younger than when memory symptoms linked to it start showing, making diagnosis tricky. Dr. Marianne Chapleau from UCSF's Department of Neurology emphasised the need for better diagnostic tools for PCA.

Related video: 3 Surprising Vaccines That Could Save You From Alzheimer's (Money Talks News)