An eye device that can be used by optometrists and ophthalmologists can detect schizophrenia, diagnose the symptoms and help predict the chances of relapse. This new device, which uses the technique flash electroretinography (fERG), can compare the electrical activity of the retina and compare it with schizophrenic patients and healthy volunteers to predict the condition. Previous research has shown several abnormalities to be associated with the retina of schizophrenic patients, like cone response time and cellular activation.
fERG technology has been previously used for the diagnosis of several neurological and psychiatric abnormalities. The retina, being a part of the central nervous system, shares several neurotransmitters with the brain. Disruption or dysregulation of neurotransmitters occurs in psychiatric diseases, and the fRES technique can record electric potentials generated…
