March 23, 2021 – On April 2, the Alzheimer’s Association will continue its virtual “Ask the Expert” series with “Seeing the Brain Through the Eyes,” a free program that will explore how ophthalmology could hold the key to unlocking earlier detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
On hand to address this topic will be Dr. Delia Cabrera DeBuc, a research associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute who specializes in medical image processing and imaging biomarker development.
“Provided the eye is a window to the body’s health and that the retina may serve as a window to the brain, the retinal signatures may serve as a marker of Alzheimer’s disease,” DeBuc explained. “Therefore, a low-cost and noninvasive assessment of Alzheimer’s disease through the eye could facilitate risk detection and/or very early ascertainment of cognitive decline.”
The program will also include a presentation from Alzheimer’s Community Educator Aja Scott on the “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s,” as well as an update from Alzheimer’s Association Senior Program Manager Stefanie Wardlow on the status of Alzheimer’s and dementia research in general.
“We are experiencing a new scientific revolution – the biomarker revolution,” Wardlow said. “Biomarkers are helping us to modernize the diagnostic process. We have brain scans that can help detect Alzheimer’s, but these can be expensive and hard to get, so scientists continue to research new kinds of biomarkers that will be lower in cost, noninvasive and reliable markers of disease. Tools are being developed to support measurement of factors in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, saliva and, as we will hear from Dr. DeBuc, eye tests.”
“Ask the Expert: Seeing the Brain Through the Eyes” will begin at 2 p.m. EDT on April 2. A Spanish version of the program will also be offered at 2 p.m. EDT on April 23. Those interested in attending either program may register by calling the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900. Online registration is also available at http://bit.ly/SeeingTheBrain (English) or at http://bit.ly/ViendoElCerebro (Spanish).
Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call (800) 272-3900.
