Researchers have identified a groundbreaking method to detect signs of Alzheimer's disease through the analysis of eye movements, specifically saccades. Miriam Boutros, a Master’s of Science student at the École de Technologie Supérieure, presented her study on November 19, 2024, during the virtual 187th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America. This innovative approach utilizes hearable devices equipped with in-ear microphones to track cognitive decline by observing changes in involuntary rapid eye movements.
Saccades—quick eye movements that shift focus from one object to another—can indicate cognitive decline. In individuals with Alzheimer's, these movements often become shorter, more variable, and less accurate. This study posits that the vibrations caused by eye movements can be detected through eardrum oscillations measured by hearables. By correlating these vibrations with eye movement data collected from volunteers using both wearables and conventional eye trackers, the team aims to establish a reliable method for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.
Boutros emphasized the potential of hearable technology in her research. “Containing in-ear microphones, hearables capture signals with remarkable sensitivity. In fact, when the ear canal is occluded, vibrations generated by bone and tissue conduction become amplified. This means that subtle sounds from the wearer’s heartbeat to their voice, cough, breath, or even the blink of an eye can be detected,” she explained.
The study is currently in its proof-of-concept phase. While it focuses primarily on Alzheimer’s detection, Boutros and her team are also exploring methods for identifying signs of Parkinson’s disease through swallow detection. Patients with Parkinson’s often experience difficulties with motor control, including impaired swallowing and breath regulation. “So, eventually we’re aiming to tackle more than just Alzheimer’s. We have another colleague that’s working on Parkinson’s disease,” Boutros noted.
The use of hearables for tracking eye movement changes presents a significant advantage over traditional methods. Unlike clinical settings that require patients to visit specialized facilities, hearables provide a way to monitor cognitive health in familiar environments. Alexander Solomon, MD, a surgical neuro-ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon, shared his insights on the potential for hearables to transform early disease detection. “In the journey to improve healthcare, early disease detection is critical to prevent, delay, or mitigate the symptoms of the disease,” he stated.
Solomon added that advanced intra-aural technology allows for seamless integration into daily life. “These small yet powerful wearable devices serve as a gateway to a vast array of signals produced by the human body,” he said. However, he also expressed caution regarding the limitations of such technology. “In the real world, many things ranging from alternative diagnoses affecting eye movements to the amount of signal-to-noise ratio would limit the utility of such a device,” Solomon explained.
The findings from Boutros's study could prove crucial as they aim to enhance early detection techniques for neurodegenerative diseases. “Anything we can do to detect the disease earlier is a boon for making sure patients are caught early on in the disease course,” Solomon remarked. He believes that as treatments develop, identifying Alzheimer's before significant cognitive changes occur will be essential.
Despite the promising implications of hearables in tracking eye movements, there remains a need for rigorous validation against established clinical assessment methods. Solomon pointed out that while wearables offer convenience for data collection, there are more accurate ways to assess eye movements in clinical settings.
Miriam Boutros's research reflects a significant step forward in utilizing technology to address critical health challenges. As her team continues to refine their approach and explore additional applications for this innovative technology, the future may hold new possibilities for early diagnosis and intervention in neurodegenerative diseases.
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