Eye Scanner Can Detect Molecular Aging

Boston University Medical School developed an eye scanner that can detect molecular aging in the lens, reports Medical News Today . A study in the Journals of Gerontology: Series A detailed the scanner, which could be used to clinically assess an individual's aging process and then suggest personalized treatment. The tool examines primary fiber cells in the lens, which also contain the highest concentration of protein in the human body. As these cells do not regenerate, measuring the damage they accumulate could be a good indicator of molecular aging. By using the scanner in conjunction with quasi-elastic light scattering, the researchers decoded the molecular data of 34 people between five and 61 years old. The scanner successfully detected the same age-related changes that were observed under controlled laboratory conditions. The researchers think the device could find similar use for other clinical biomarkers, like brain imaging for Alzheimer's disease and blood tests for diabetes.