Detect dementia with a SELFIE? (Weird!)

The WARNING signs of damaging brain diseases, like dementia, can go unnoticed for years…

And because conditions like this have no CURE… it’s important to take every precaution to detect the disease EARLY.

Thanks to some groundbreaking research, using your PHONE could soon be a powerful tool to help detect brain diseases early.

University of California-San Diego researchers are developing a new smartphone app that uses a phone’s “selfie” feature to screen for signs of potential neurological diseases.

This app is still in the research and development phase, but here’s a quick overview of how it will eventually work…

The app will use both a near-infrared camera (which is a feature built into most new smartphones) and a regular selfie camera to track pupil size dilations.

See, your eyes are a sneak peek into how well your brain is operating. In fact, pupil measurements and movements are one of the most important markers used in many tests to assess your overall cognitive condition.

For instance, studies have found that if you’re thinking hard about a tough mental task, or hear an unexpected loud sound, your pupils tend to expand.

Using the app over a period of time will help closely track any changes in your pupil diameter through something called a pupil response test. Researchers behind the app believe this “eye-selfie test” can quickly screen for and even monitor neurological diseases and disorders such as dementia.

Pretty cool, huh?

Again, this app is not ready to launch (yet)… and even once it hits the market it should not be used as an official diagnosis.

I also have no relationship or affiliation with the app developers. This is up-and-coming technology worth reporting.

In the meantime, the best thing you can do to monitor any changes in your brain activity or memory is to continue to get regular checkups with your doctor (eye doctor included!).

To brain health breakthroughs,

Sarah Reagan

PS – Combatting brain disease also starts with a healthy lifestyle. In this afternoon’s eAlert, we’re uncovering how one disease can accelerate memory loss… and how you can prevent it.

Sources:

Anderer, John. “App could soon provide at-home test for brain diseases via ‘eye selfies’.” https://www.studyfinds.org/app-test-brain-diseases/