Your eyes could reveal Alzheimer's: new study uses retinal imaging to spot brain disease

NCT ID NCT03233646

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Duke University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study uses non-invasive eye scans (OCT and OCTA) to look for changes in the retina that might be linked to brain diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. Researchers aim to find early markers that could help diagnose or track these conditions. The study will include 2,000 adults with and without neurodegenerative diseases.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a simple, non-invasive eye test to help diagnose or monitor brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's earlier.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not find reliable biomarkers, and results may not apply to all patients or stages of disease.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alzheimer disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Brain Concussion Brain Injuries, Traumatic Cognitive Dysfunction Down syndrome frontotemporal dementia Huntington disease Lewy body dementia Lewy Body Disease multiple sclerosis neurodegenerative disease Parkinson disease post-traumatic stress disorder traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) APOE-4 POSITIVE CONCUSSION DOWN SYNDROME FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA HUNTINGTON DISEASE LEWY BODY DEMENTIA MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS NEURO-DEGENERATIVE DISEASE NORMAL COGNITION PARKINSON'S DISEASE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Contacts and locations

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Study contacts

Contact

Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

Duke University Medical Center
RECRUITING

Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States

Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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