Early dementia sign could be spotted in the eyes - what to look for

Many people are familiar with typical symptoms of dementia such as memory loss and changes in behaviour, but some more obscure signs could manifest themselves within the eyes, scientists have said. Saccades, or rapid eye movements, tend to be slower in those with dementia, experts have said.

This is especially true for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent type of dementia. A recent report featured on Science Daily details new insights into the relationship between saccades and dementia, stating: "People with Alzheimer's exhibit a loss of motor control along with cognitive decline."

These eye movements, which may be less accurate or delayed in dementia patients, are among the preliminary symptoms of decay. Researchers at École de Technologie Supérieure and Dartmouth University suggested this unique symptom could be detected via earpiece microphones.

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Researcher Arian Shamei explained: "Eye movements are fascinating since they are some of the most rapid and precise movements in the human body, thus they rely on both excellent motor skills and cognitive functioning." The team shared their breakthrough at this year's annual meeting of the Acoustical Society of America.

They suggested that microphones might be the most effective way to identify these slower eye movements. Traditional methods involve using eye-tracking equipment to detect and analyse saccades, but such technology isn't widely available.

Miriam Boutros, who presented the research, said: "We are using a device called a hearable. It is an earpiece with in-ear microphones that captures physiological signals from the body. Our goal is to develop health-monitoring algorithms for hearables, capable of continuous, long-term monitoring and early disease detection."

The team believes that eye movements, including saccades, create eardrum vibrations detectable by these in-ear microphones. They're currently testing this hypothesis with volunteers using both hearables and traditional eye trackers, aiming to distinguish between normal saccades and those that could indicate neurological conditions like Alzheimer's.

The NHS lists symptoms of dementia as:

• Memory loss

• Difficulty concentrating

• Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping

• Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word

• Being confused about time and place

• Mood changes.

“These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually,” the health body says. If you spot any of these signs you should speak to your GP.