New Delhi: Canadian researchers have discovered that scanning the tiny blood vessels in the eyes could help predict a person’s risk for heart disease and their rate of biological aging. This groundbreaking study, published in the journal Science Advances, suggests that retinal scans may eventually provide a noninvasive insight into the body’s overall vascular health and biological aging, paving the way for earlier detection and intervention.
Marie Pigeyre, an Associate Professor at McMaster University’s Department of Medicine in Canada, noted, “By connecting retinal scans, genetics, and blood biomarkers, we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system.” She emphasized the eye’s unique position as a noninvasive window into the circulatory system, highlighting that changes in retinal blood vessels often reflect alterations throughout the body’s smaller vessels.
To conduct this research, the team analyzed retinal scans, genetic data, and blood samples from over 74,000 participants. They found that individuals with simpler, less branched blood vessels faced a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and exhibited signs of biological aging, which included increased inflammation and a shorter lifespan.
Currently, evaluating age-related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia requires multiple tests. The researchers hope that retinal scans alone might one day offer a simple and quick method for assessing aging and cardiovascular risk, although further research is necessary.
Additionally, the team examined blood biomarkers and genetic data, identifying potential biological factors that cause changes in the eye’s blood vessels. This research led them to pinpoint specific proteins, MMP12 and IgG-Fc receptor IIb, which could influence aging and disease. Both proteins are associated with inflammation and vascular aging. According to Pigeyre, these proteins could serve as potential targets for future drug development.
“Our findings point to potential drug targets for slowing vascular aging, reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases, and ultimately improving lifespan,” she stated.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-study
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Publish Date: 2025-10-26 07:11:00
