Eye scan helps detect multiple sclerosis

BALTIMORE, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers suggest an eye exam that takes five minutes could become an inexpensive and effective way to gauge and track multiple sclerosis, or MS.

The study, published in Neurology, used optical coherence tomography to scan optic nerves as a complement to magnetic resonance imaging to track the effectiveness of treatments for MS.

The Johns Hopkins University researchers used optical coherence tomography to test 40 MS patients to scan the layers of nerve fibers of the retina. The retinal nerve fiber layer is the one part of the brain where nerve cells are not covered with the fat and protein sheathing called myelin, making this assessment specific for nerve damage as opposed to brain MRI changes, which reflect an array of different types of tissue processes in the brain.

The researchers found a correlation coefficient of 0.46 of the study participants, but for patients with relapsing remitting MS, correlation coefficient jumped to 0.69, suggesting an even stronger association between the retinal measurement and brain atrophy.

"This is an encouraging result," lead author Dr. Peter Calabresi said in a statement. "With optical coherence tomography we can see exactly how healthy these nerves are, potentially in advance of other symptoms."