Latest news with #UniversityofDundee


Sky News
4 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
Routine eye scan 'could predict 10-year heart attack and stroke risk', University of Dundee study suggests
A scan which forms part of a routine eye test could help predict a person's risk of having a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years, a study has suggested. Researchers at the University of Dundee used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse digital retinal photographs, which are taken to capture images from the back of the eye to look for certain conditions. The technology was able to produce personalised risk predictors in less than a second. It is hoped the simple test could one day be offered alongside blood pressure and cholesterol checks to allow doctors to treat patients earlier. For the study, published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology, researchers trialled the AI software on the eye scans of people with type 2 diabetes. Those with the condition undergo routine eye tests to check for diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar levels damage the blood sugar in the retina. Dr Ify Mordi, British Heart Foundation (BHF) research fellow at the university and consultant cardiologist, said: "It may be surprising, but the eyes are a window to the heart. "If there is damage or narrowing of the blood vessels at the back of the eye, there is a good chance that will also be seen in the blood vessels further inside the body, supplying the heart, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke." The AI tool was instructed to initially look for warning signs on the images, such as blood vessel narrowing or blockages. It was then permitted to look for any detail in the photographs, such as the size or arrangement of blood vessels, before being trained using 4,200 images. The technology was able to predict the people who would go on to have "major cardiovascular events", like heart attacks or strokes, within a decade with 70% accuracy. Dr Mordi said: "This is a one-stop scan which is routinely performed and takes less than a minute. "It could be an important part of the package, alongside blood pressure and cholesterol checks, in identifying people who could benefit from medication or lifestyle changes." Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the BHF, said cutting-edge innovations like the AI tool could "play a role in improving risk prediction". He added: "However, more research is needed to show this prediction accuracy is robust, and to determine the feasibility of incorporating retinal scans into clinical practice." Dr Clare Jonas, research lead at the Stroke Association, agreed that AI analyses of health data "have exciting potential for better early detection". She added: "Advances like these could make it easier for people at risk of stroke to take the right steps to stop it from happening. "Whilst there are still many practical questions to answer about whether, when and how AI could be used in clinical practice, we hope the government's 10 Year Health Plan will take such technological advances into account to stop more strokes from devastating people's lives."


The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Dundee's parasite-busting breakthrough could save billions
Worm infestations cost the European livestock sector approximately £1.8 billion annually. Despite the significant impact that parasitic worms have on the economy, there is currently no vaccination for humans, and progress in protecting animals has been limited. However, the Dundee team has discovered a way to turn the parasites' primary weapon against them. New research from Dundee has shown how to turn a parasitic worm's harmful proteins against itself. (Image: University of Dundee) New research discovered that the worms create proteins, including two known as HpARI and HpBARI. These proteins suppress the host's immune response, effectively blocking the host's immune system from reacting to and fighting off the worm's harmful effects. This often allows the infection to develop into a chronic problem, resulting in long-term effects that are much harder to mitigate. Once infected, human hosts can experience diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pains. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of worm infection, with an increased risk of growth stunting and malnutrition. Dr Henry McSorley and his fellow researchers believe their breakthrough could have significant benefits for humans and livestock. (Image: University of Dundee) Dundee researchers led by Dr Henry McSorley, lead author in the division of Cell Signalling and Immunology at Dundee's School of Life Sciences, have found a way to vaccinate mice with the same HpARI and HpBARI that the worms produce. This has allowed the hosts to increase their immune system's response to the typically harmful proteins and block their effects. The result is to nullify the parasite and give time for the immune system to clear the infection fully. Scientists have long known that parasitic worms protect themselves by suppressing the immune system of their hosts; however, scientists are only now beginning to understand how this process works. In addition to their use as vaccines, parasite proteins such as HpARI and HpBARI have garnered interest as potential new treatments for human diseases characterised by an overactive immune system, including allergies and asthma. Dr McSorley said that the team's breakthrough is an essential step in eradicating the threat of parasitic worms. 'Our work has revealed that HpARI or HpBARI proteins are effective in mitigating the effects of infection in hosts. Further research will be required to identify similar proteins from parasites of humans and livestock. "These results are incredibly positive and could form the basis of a future vaccination that could protect humans against worm infection.'


The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
AI can detect warning signs of heart attack, scientists say
A new artificial intelligence system can predict a person's risk of heart attack or stroke within a decade using routine eye test scans. Developed by University of Dundee researchers, the AI analyses digital retinal photographs to provide personalised risk predictions in under a second. The technology was trialled on eye scans of individuals with type 2 diabetes and achieved 70 per cent accuracy in predicting major cardiovascular events. Experts suggest this simple, quick test could complement existing checks like blood pressure and cholesterol, allowing for earlier intervention. While promising, further research is needed to confirm its robustness and feasibility for widespread clinical use in preventing cardiovascular diseases, the British Heart Foundation says.


Telegraph
4 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
High street eye test could predict heart attack risk
High street eye scans could be used to predict heart attack risk, a study has found. A new artificial intelligence tool could predict a person's risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years just from analysing a routine eye test. Researchers from the University of Dundee used AI to examine digital retinal photographs, which capture images of the back of the eye. The software has learnt to detect abnormalities or patterns in the size and arrangement of the blood vessels that would suggest an increased risk of developing a heart condition. The experts said it could now predict the likelihood of someone going on to suffer a 'major cardiovascular event', such as a heart attack or stroke, within the next 10 years to 70 per cent accuracy. They hope the test could one day be offered alongside blood pressure and cholesterol checks to allow doctors to identify and treat patients at risk of heart issues sooner.. People with type 2 diabetes For the study, the research team trialled the AI software on the eye scans of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes patients have regular eye tests to check for diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina and lead to sight loss. Dr Ify Mordi, a British Heart Foundation (BHF) research fellow at the University of Dundee and consultant cardiologist, said: 'It may be surprising but the eyes are a window to the heart. 'If there is damage or narrowing of the blood vessels at the back of the eye, there is a good chance that it will also be seen in the blood vessels further inside the body, supplying the heart, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke.' Dr Mordi added: 'This is a one-stop scan which is routinely performed and takes less than a minute. 'It could be an important part of the package, alongside blood pressure and cholesterol checks, in identifying people who could benefit from medication or lifestyle changes.' Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the BHF, said: 'The more accurately we can detect someone's risk of a heart attack or stroke, the better the opportunities to prevent these happening. ' Cutting-edge innovations, like the use of retinal scans alongside health checks, could play a role in improving risk prediction, which is important if we are to reach the British Heart Foundation's goal to prevent 125,000 heart attacks and strokes in the UK by 2035. 'However, more research is needed to show this prediction accuracy is robust, and to determine the feasibility of incorporating retinal scans into clinical practice.' The study was published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology.


The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Routine eye scan could predict 10-year heart attack and stroke risk
A scan which forms part of a routine eye test could help predict a person's risk of having a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years, a study suggests. Researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse digital retinal photographs, which are taken to capture images from the back of the eye to look for certain conditions. The technology was able to produce personalised risk predictors in less than a second. It is hoped the simple test could one day be offered alongside blood pressure and cholesterol checks to allow doctors to treat patients earlier. For the study, published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology, researchers at the University of Dundee trialled the AI software on the eye scans of people with type 2 diabetes. Those with the condition have routine eye tests to check for diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar levels damage the blood sugar in the retina. Dr Ify Mordi, British Heart Foundation research fellow at the University of Dundee and consultant cardiologist, said: 'It may be surprising, but the eyes are a window to the heart. 'If there is damage or narrowing of the blood vessels at the back of the eye, there is a good chance that will also be seen in the blood vessels further inside the body, supplying the heart, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke.' Experts instructed the technology to initially look for warning signs on the images, such as blood vessel narrowing or blockages. It was then permitted to look for any detail in the photographs, such as the size or arrangement of blood vessels, before being trained using 4,200 images. The AI tool was able to predict the people who would go on to have 'major cardiovascular events', like heart attacks or strokes, within a decade with 70% accuracy. Dr Mordi added: 'This is a one-stop scan which is routinely performed and takes less than a minute. 'It could be an important part of the package, alongside blood pressure and cholesterol checks, in identifying people who could benefit from medication or lifestyle changes.' Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: 'The more accurately we can detect someone's risk of a heart attack or stroke, the better the opportunities to prevent these happening. 'Cutting-edge innovations, like the use of retinal scans alongside health checks, could play a role in improving risk prediction, which is important if we are to reach the British Heart Foundation's goal to prevent 125,000 heart attacks and strokes in the UK by 2035. 'However, more research is needed to show this prediction accuracy is robust, and to determine the feasibility of incorporating retinal scans into clinical practice.' Reacting to the study, Dr Clare Jonas, research lead at the Stroke Association, said: 'AI analyses of health data, gathered through screening technology such as this eye scan, have exciting potential for better early detection, especially for those with diabetes who have a greater chance of having a stroke. 'Advances like these could make it easier for people at risk of stroke to take the right steps to stop it from happening. 'Whilst there are still many practical questions to answer about whether, when and how AI could be used in clinical practice, we hope the Government's 10 Year Health Plan will take such technological advances into account to stop more strokes from devastating people's lives.'