<p>The human eye, a marvel of biological engineering, serves as a unique portal to peek&nbsp;into the intricacies of the central nervous system. Through a pioneering approach, scientists have unearthed the potential to detect early indicators of Parkinson's disease, unveiling a new dimension in early diagnosis, up to seven years before symptoms manifest.</p>

<h2><strong>The power of 3D eye scans</strong></h2>

<p>This groundbreaking finding&nbsp;revolves around three-dimensional eye scans, routinely employed by optometrists to assess the condition of the retina, a layer of nerve cells nestled at the back of the eye, as per Science Alert.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What remained veiled until recently is that these scans house subtle cues pertaining to both bodily and cerebral health.</p>

<p>Over the past decade, researchers have embarked on an ambitious quest to harness this data for diagnosing neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia, thus giving birth to the emerging realm of 'oculomics'.</p>

<p>Within this realm, Parkinson's, a perplexing nervous system disorder with an elusive etiology and cure, stands as a prominent contender.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-colour-changing-fish-just-doesnt-see-with-its-eyes-study-says-theres-more-628354">This fish uses 'skin vision' to look at itself from the inside</a></p>

<h2><strong>Pioneering research on retinal imaging</strong></h2>

<p>Pearse Keane, a professor of artificial medical intelligence at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital, said: “The eye is the only part of the body where you can directly visualise the microvascular circulation [the flow of blood through the tiniest vessels]. If you have changes in your blood or cardiovascular system, those changes may be manifested in the retinal blood vessel.”<br />
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In a monumental effort, collaborators from various UK hospitals have orchestrated the largest study to date on retinal imaging for Parkinson's disease. Previously, scientists had observed anomalies in the retinas of deceased Parkinson's patients, but the applicability of these changes in a living context remained elusive. The latest findings, however, suggest otherwise, offering a potential window into the disease's onset and progression.</p>

<h2><strong>AI's role&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence, researchers scrutinised eye scans from a staggering 154,830 patients aged 40 and above.</p>

<p>Within this cohort, 700 individuals afflicted with Parkinson's exhibited subtle yet statistically significant variations in their retinal appearance.</p>

<p>A notable thinning in the inner ganglion cell layer, responsible for transmitting visual information via dopamine, stood out in specific regions.</p>

<p>This discovery&nbsp;served as a critical clue in the examination of eye scans from the UK Biobank database, which encompassed 67,311 individuals, including 53 diagnosed with Parkinson's during the study.</p>

<h2><strong>Early indicators in the eye</strong></h2>

<p>The research highlighted that&nbsp;the thinning of the inner ganglion cell layer can manifest in the early stages of Parkinson's, preceding the emergence of clinical symptoms.</p>

<p>This discovery lends support to earlier observations of ganglion thinning in individuals afflicted with Parkinson's and strengthens the premise that ocular changes can be among the earliest manifestations of the disease.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The human eye, a marvel of biological engineering, serves as a unique portal to peek into the intricacies of the central nervous system. Through a pioneering approach, scientists have unearthed the potential to detect early indicators of Parkinson's disease, unveiling a new dimension in early diagnosis, up to seven years before symptoms manifest.

The human eye, a marvel of biological engineering, serves as a unique portal to peek into the intricacies of the central nervous system. Through a pioneering approach, scientists have unearthed the potential to detect early indicators of Parkinson's disease, unveiling a new dimension in early diagnosis, up to seven years before symptoms manifest. The power of 3D eye scans This groundbreaking finding revolves around three-dimensional eye scans, routinely employed by optometrists to assess the condition of the retina, a layer of nerve cells nestled at the back of the eye, as per Science Alert. What remained veiled until recently is that these scans house subtle cues pertaining to both bodily and cerebral health. Over the past decade, researchers have embarked on an ambitious quest to harness this data for diagnosing neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia, thus giving birth to the emerging realm of 'oculomics'. Within this realm, Parkinson's, a perplexing nervous system disorder with an elusive etiology and cure, stands as a prominent contender. Also read | This fish uses 'skin vision' to look at itself from the inside Pioneering research on retinal imaging Pearse Keane, a professor of artificial medical intelligence at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital, said: “The eye is the only part of the body where you can directly visualise the microvascular circulation [the flow of blood through the tiniest vessels]. If you have changes in your blood or cardiovascular system, those changes may be manifested in the retinal blood vessel.” In a monumental effort, collaborators from various UK hospitals have orchestrated the largest study to date on retinal imaging for Parkinson's disease. Previously, scientists had observed anomalies in the retinas of deceased Parkinson's patients, but the applicability of these changes in a living context remained elusive. The latest findings, however, suggest otherwise, offering a potential window into the disease's onset and progression. AI's role Harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence, researchers scrutinised eye scans from a staggering 154,830 patients aged 40 and above. Within this cohort, 700 individuals afflicted with Parkinson's exhibited subtle yet statistically significant variations in their retinal appearance. A notable thinning in the inner ganglion cell layer, responsible for transmitting visual information via dopamine, stood out in specific regions. This discovery served as a critical clue in the examination of eye scans from the UK Biobank database, which encompassed 67,311 individuals, including 53 diagnosed with Parkinson's during the study. Early indicators in the eye The research highlighted that the thinning of the inner ganglion cell layer can manifest in the early stages of Parkinson's, preceding the emergence of clinical symptoms. This discovery lends support to earlier observations of ganglion thinning in individuals afflicted with Parkinson's and strengthens the premise that ocular changes can be among the earliest manifestations of the disease. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Eye scans can detect early Parkinson's signs, years ahead of symptoms: Study

<p>A group of scientists has unveiled a potential breakthrough in cardiovascular disease detection, stating that a straightforward saliva test that may reveal the earliest indicators of heart issues.</p>

<p>Their research has brought to the fore a compelling connection between elevated white blood cell levels in the saliva of young, healthy adults and an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.</p>

<h2><strong>Linking white blood cells to heart health</strong></h2>

<p>The study highlights that heightened levels of white blood cells, which typically signify gum inflammation, are closely linked to compromised flow-mediated dilation, a precursor to heart disease.</p>

<p>This discovery suggests that inflammatory agents might infiltrate the bloodstream via the gums, instigating damage to the vascular system and setting the stage for cardiovascular diseases.</p>

<p>This groundbreaking research, published recently in the journal <em>Frontiers in Oral Health</em>, solidifies the correlation between heightened white blood cell counts and impaired flow-mediated dilation, which serves as an early indicator of suboptimal arterial health.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/new-ai-model-can-accurately-estimate-age-from-chest-x-rays-research-says-626991">New AI model can accurately estimate age from chest X-rays, research says</a></p>

<h2><strong>Significance of the findings</strong></h2>

<p>Trevor King, the corresponding author of the study and affiliated with Mount Royal University in Canada, who spoke to PTI, emphasised the gravity of these findings.</p>

<p>He stated, "Even in young, healthy adults, low levels of oral inflammatory load may have an impact on cardiovascular health - one of the leading causes of death in North America."</p>

<p>This research is not isolated; it builds upon previous studies linking periodontitis, a common gum infection, to the development of cardiovascular disease. Scientists speculate that inflammatory components originating from the gums can infiltrate the bloodstream, potentially jeopardising the integrity of the vascular system.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/young-indias-heart-health-cardiologist-dispels-myths-around-cardiac-activity-570624">Young India's heart health: Cardiologist dispels myths around cardiac activity</a></p>

<h2><strong>A holistic approach to health</strong></h2>

<p>Ker-Yung Hong, the first author of the study, who now conducts research in dentistry at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, emphasised the broader implications of their findings. She stated, "If we are seeing that oral health may have an impact on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease even in young, healthy individuals, this holistic approach can be implemented earlier on."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Gen Z prone to heart attacks, diabetes?</strong></p>

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<p>While highlighting the potential significance of their findings, Trevor King stressed the importance of maintaining optimal oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, especially in light of this emerging evidence.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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A group of scientists has unveiled a potential breakthrough in cardiovascular disease detection, stating that a straightforward saliva test that may reveal the earliest indicators of heart issues.

A group of scientists has unveiled a potential breakthrough in cardiovascular disease detection, stating that a straightforward saliva test that may reveal the earliest indicators of heart issues. Their research has brought to the fore a compelling connection between elevated white blood cell levels in the saliva of young, healthy adults and an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease. Linking white blood cells to heart health The study highlights that heightened levels of white blood cells, which typically signify gum inflammation, are closely linked to compromised flow-mediated dilation, a precursor to heart disease. This discovery suggests that inflammatory agents might infiltrate the bloodstream via the gums, instigating damage to the vascular system and setting the stage for cardiovascular diseases. This groundbreaking research, published recently in the journal Frontiers in Oral Health, solidifies the correlation between heightened white blood cell counts and impaired flow-mediated dilation, which serves as an early indicator of suboptimal arterial health. Also read | New AI model can accurately estimate age from chest X-rays, research says Significance of the findings Trevor King, the corresponding author of the study and affiliated with Mount Royal University in Canada, who spoke to PTI, emphasised the gravity of these findings. He stated, "Even in young, healthy adults, low levels of oral inflammatory load may have an impact on cardiovascular health - one of the leading causes of death in North America." This research is not isolated; it builds upon previous studies linking periodontitis, a common gum infection, to the development of cardiovascular disease. Scientists speculate that inflammatory components originating from the gums can infiltrate the bloodstream, potentially jeopardising the integrity of the vascular system. Also read | Young India's heart health: Cardiologist dispels myths around cardiac activity A holistic approach to health Ker-Yung Hong, the first author of the study, who now conducts research in dentistry at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, emphasised the broader implications of their findings. She stated, "If we are seeing that oral health may have an impact on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease even in young, healthy individuals, this holistic approach can be implemented earlier on." Also watch | Gravitas Plus: Gen Z prone to heart attacks, diabetes? While highlighting the potential significance of their findings, Trevor King stressed the importance of maintaining optimal oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, especially in light of this emerging evidence. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

A basic saliva test can detect cardiovascular disease. Here's how

Scientists at Imperial College London, UK have found that the surgical knife that can “smell tumours”, effectively detects womb cancer within seconds. The breakthrough could enable thousands of women to get an earlier diagnosis paving the way for “new diagnostic pathways”.

Womb cancer detection to get easier?

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Eye scans can detect early Parkinson's signs, years ahead of symptoms: Study

A basic saliva test can detect cardiovascular disease. Here's how

Womb cancer detection to get easier?