Beyond the optic nerve: The fascinating connection between the eye and the brain

The eyes and the brain have a unique connection, with both organs changing in a similar way when affected with certain diseases. The insights I’m sharing below are just the tip of the iceberg – there is so much to share – but sadly, there are character limits on LinkedIn. Therefore, I will focus on what I think are some of the most interesting scientific discoveries that have helped progress our understanding of the interactions and similarities between the two organs.

The eyes as windows into the body

Did you know that the eye is the only place in the body where both neurons and blood vessels can be seen without surgery? This makes the eyes invaluable as a way to gather information about what is happening inside us – both with the brain and our blood.

With the right expertise and equipment, someone looking at the blood vessels in our eye can tell if we have high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease. Innovations with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, like Google’s DeepMind, have enhanced these capabilities, enabling images of the retinal structure and blood vessels to be quickly assessed and any concerns flagged. As Roche is researching several areas of cardiovascular disease, these crossovers with an area like ophthalmology, where we have strong expertise, are really exciting for us.

The eyes as an outward expression of the brain

The eyes can also be used to monitor for certain brain conditions. For example, in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), optic neuritis can be an early symptom. Optic neuritis occurs when inflammation caused by MS or NMOSD damages the optic nerve, resulting in a thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer. This change in thickness can be assessed by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan and used to diagnose individuals with these conditions.

In Parkinson’s disease, research has shown that people with the condition have thinner retinas, even in the early stages. Retinal thickness can be assessed and monitored by OCT scans, meaning it could be used as an early biomarker for the condition. Similarly, there is also early research suggesting that a deep learning AI algorithm could use retinal imaging to potentially identify people with early stages of Alzheimer’s based on small changes to blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the retina.

Scientific research has also shown that how the eyes develop and mature in childhood has a direct impact on the growth of neurons in the brain. This continues throughout our life as we age. For example, studies have demonstrated that people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) have an increased risk of experiencing dementia. Although it’s not yet clear how AMD and DME are linked to dementia, it has been theorised that reduced activation of the brain’s sensory pathways may be associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline.

Being able to use the eyes as physical expressions of the brain may help provide new insights to advance our scientific understanding and innovation in this field. The more research that is conducted, the more it becomes clear that our eyes and our brains are closely connected. Ongoing efforts to further our understanding of this connection will help to identify additional insights into how diseases progress and how they could potentially be stopped or slowed. It is an incredibly exciting area of research, and I feel very fortunate to work for a company that provides treatments for both neuroscience and ophthalmology, bridging both areas to solve some of the greatest healthcare challenges.?

The importance of partnerships to drive scientific breakthroughs??

With neuroscience a key focus area for Roche, I will be attending the UN General Assembly Summit on 19 September to discuss how to enhance partnerships across global brain research to spur innovation and come up with solutions that can benefit people living with brain conditions everywhere. Brain conditions are some of the most complex to understand and treat, which is why it is often considered the last frontier of scientific discovery. The healthcare burden associated with brain conditions continues to surge and our health systems are not ready for the challenge. This is why Roche are a seed sponsor for, and the only healthcare company currently supporting, the Brain Health Initiative. This involves working together with other influential organisations across a range of sectors to generate first-of-its-kind evidence to measure the true health and economic impact of brain conditions. We believe that neuroscience is on the cusp of important breakthroughs, and through close collaboration with our partners it is our hope that we can preserve what makes us who we are.