Researchers conducted one of the largest eye studies in the world to reveal new knowledge of the thickness of the retina, underlining its potential in early detection of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, dementia and multiple sclerosis.
The Wehi -led study, using artificial intelligence technology to analyze more than 50,000 eyes, produced retinal maps in unprecedented details to better understand how the differences in the retina are linked to various diseases.
The findings open new possibilities for using Eyecare Imaging Routine as a tool for the promotion and management of diseases, such as mammograms for breast cancer.
Gladly
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The innovative research fueled by AI has created the most detailed maps of the retina it has ever produced.
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Wehi researchers have used these maps to connect the retinal dilution with a number of diseases as well as to identify new genetic factors that affect the thickness of the retina.
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The findings could pave the way for Eyecare routine visualization as a disease sorting tool.
Unlock a window in the brain
The retina is part of the central nervous system, which also includes the brain and spinal cord. Many diseases are associated with degeneration or breakdown of this critical system, including neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
Globally, neurological conditions are one of the main causes of disability and illness, with over 3 billion people or 43% of the world’s world -related population.
The lead researcher, Dr. Wehi’s Vicki Jackson said the findings broaden the horizons for the use of retinal imaging as a door to the central nervous system to help manage diseases.
“We have shown that the visualization of the retina can act as a window in the brain, detecting correlations with neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and many other situations.
The fine -scale measurements of our maps reveal critical new details about the links between the dilution of the retina and a series of common situations. ”
Dr. Vicki Jackson, Statistical and General Expert, Chief Researcher, Wehi
The study also identified new genetic factors that affect the thickness of the retina, which are likely to play a role in the development and development of a person’s retina.
“This study emphasizes the ability to act for the thickness of the retina to act as a diagnostic biomarker to help detect and monitor the development of many diseases.
The International Research Team, led by Wehi, has applied methods to large population data to illustrate the retina and compares information on each person’s genetics and health to disclose unprecedented connections to diseases.
The results created 50,000 maps with measurements in more than 29,000 seats across the retina, identifying the dilution of the retina associated with 294 genes that play an important role in diseases.
AI quickly monitoring the diagnostic future
The lead and bioinformatics study, Professor Melanie Bahlo AM, said previous studies had indicated correlations between the thickness of the retina and the disease, but the discoveries of the AI group, threw deeper light on its composite spatial anatomy Diseases.
“Technologies such as the discovery of AI fuels and when merged with brilliant minds, there is an excellent ability to convert large population data into important knowledge,” said Prof Bahlo, head of a WEHI laboratory.
“There has never been time in history where this powerful combination – technology, big data and brilliant minds – has met to promote human health.”
Research enhances the developing field of eye (using the eye to diagnose health conditions) as a emerging, strong and non -invasive approach to predict and diagnose diseases.
Many partners participated in the study, including Britain Biobank (Images Retinal), the University of Washington (AI Imaging Data Editing). The Lowy Medical Research Institute. as well as Moorfields Eye Hospital and the University College of London (Clinical Expertise).
The survey was generously funded by the Lowy Medical Research Institute.
Source:
Magazine report:
Jackson, Ve, et al. (2025). Multiplicative spatial effects on high resolution retinal thickness. Nature communications. Doi.org/10.1038/S41467-024-55635-7.
