Research into diagnosing Alzheimer’s earlier—and in some cases even predicting it before formal diagnosis—is being done in the form of dynamic light-scattering (DLS) spectroscopy.

According to 2 articles published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, this test measures the Brownian movement of retinal proteins at the molecular level. Less motion indicated cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer’s.

The machine that performed the test accurately identified 100% of amyloid-positive cases and 83% of negative ones, according to Micron Ophthalmic, the company behind the tech.

“When DLS results didn’t align with Positron Emission Tomography  (PET) amyloid scans, it demonstrated a predictive value; in patients testing positive on the DLS machine but negative on the PET Amyloid Scan, it suggests a future Alzheimer’s diagnosis,” according to researchers. 

The DLS process is a 5-second scan of the retina and is a fraction of the cost of PET scans, which are the current standard for detecting impairment.  

No conflicts of interest were disclosed in either study.