September is World Alzheimer’s month, the international campaign which raises awareness and challenges the stigma that surrounds dementia. Around the world 50 million people have dementia, and each year there are nearly 10 million new cases.

The total number of people with dementia is projected to reach 82 million by 2030!

With over 100 forms of dementia, the most well-known form is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which accounts for 50-60% of all cases. Although a widespread condition, diagnosis and treatment of AD today is inadequate. Often multiple tests including patient history, physical examination, lab tests, cognitive tests and sometimes brain scans are required before a diagnosis can be made.
A progressive disease, AD begins with mild memory loss, possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and ability to carry out daily activities. It involves parts of the brain that controls thought, memory and language. The symptoms of AD typically appear after age 60 and the risk also increases with age.

Optalert’s eye lid movement measurement technology may hold the key for detecting neurological biomarkers.

Today there is no known cause of AD and no known cure, partly due to the aging world population and largely due to a of lack of detection and treatment options available.
Optalert are currently working with some of the world’s leading neurologists to investigate the potential of eyelid movement data for biomarkers of Dementia. Identifying blink biomarkers, just may hold the key to early diagnosis, better treatment regimens and revolutionary tools for clinical trials.