Parkinson's disease is a serious ailment that adversely affects the brain and physical movements of individuals. Although Parkinson's comes in various stages, some of the most well-known symptoms of the disease include stiffness, tremors, and delayed movements that worsen as time goes on.

It goes without saying that earlier detection of Parkinson's within individuals opens the door to them receiving treatments at a faster rate, hence empowering them to weather the disease in a more effective manner.

While a cure has yet to be discovered, the treatment options to help impacted persons include medication, various therapies, and sometimes even brain surgery.

Currently, the healthcare industry at large continues to review how artificial intelligence (AI) can help individuals facing different medical challenges. Amid this work, one new study suggests that AI could help facilitate earlier detection of Parkinson's disease.

A closer look at this study

According to the British-based UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan recently discovered that individuals with Parkinson's disease have variations in their eyes, compared to persons without the disease.

Using the OCT 3D scan, scientists found that AI could potentially view the retina's cross-section to determine the presence of Parkinson's disease. Those with Parkinson's so far show thinner eye internal nuclear layers and more delicate layers of ganglion cell-inner plexiform.

While opticians currently conduct OCT scans, AI may potentially be able to run these scans faster and more accurately, as it pertains to Parkinson's detections. Ideally, said scans would also take place and catch this disease before the manifestation of retinal problems.

Too early to tell?

Before the latest developments out of Britain, a Swedish study also suggested AI could help facilitate faster detection of breast cancer.

However, while AI comes with many possibilities, some experts warn about jumping into this too quickly. Potential downsides of the technology also include inaccurate or premature diagnoses of health problems.

Despite the clear potential for good, the appropriate role of AI in the medical field still largely remains up in the air. When it comes to people's lives and health, making sure everything happens aboveboard must be the foremost priority.