NORFACE - Neuro-ophthalmology Research at Fundació ACE

Currently, there is a lack of accurate testing and higher resolution in the diagnostic process of neurodegenerative diseases. Those that do exist are extremely expensive, such as neuroimaging, or very invasive (and painful) as lumbar puncture.

In the neurodegenerative process atrophy (or downsizing) the brain, especially certain lobes occurs. Recent studies have shown that a thinning of the retina and its different layers is also produced.

Researchers of Fundació ACE want to extend the use of measuring the thickness of the retina, with a photograph of the fundus, to learn more and better about brain functioning and, therefore, the status of patients, to advance knowledge and application of new models and diagnostic tools.

With NORFACE (Neuro-ophthalmology Research at Fundació ACE), Fundació ACE wants to consolidate the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT acronym), a technique commonly used in the ophthalmological field, consisting of measuring the thickness of the retina, which now apply to study brain function of patients with cognitive impairment or dementia.

Funds raised on Alzheimer’s Night will go entirely to the NORFACE project. From the use of OCT will try to advance the quality of diagnosis in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and other neuro-degenerative diseases. The technique could be implemented in consultation clinics memory or in routine clinical practice and change the model of diagnosis and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases.