Scientists at IIT Gandhinagar have done a breakthrough study by developing a technology that can non-invasively diagnose dementia by tracking a person’s eye movements, much before the symptoms appear. Due to the significant rise in ageing population, neurodegenerative disorders have become a serious health issue. It’s not possible to cure dementia, but its progression can be delayed if diagnosed early.
Uttama Lahiri, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar and her team, that includes Ritika Jain and Valay Patel, have developed the ‘MindEye’ project which can track a person’s eye movement, quantifying gaze in terms of reaction time and correct fixations, in response to visual stimuli presented on a computer monitor.
Associate Professor Lahiri said that they have handed the technology over to the industry and a larger clinical trial is under process in Kolkata and Gujarat which will completely change the way dementia is seen in the world. She further added that around 1,600 people have been screened already.
(Image Courtesy: India Today)
