The retina as a window to the brain—from eye research to CNS disorders

The eye is an extension of the CNS in terms of its development and anatomy, and in terms of its dialogue with the immune system. Many neurodegenerative disorders of the brain and spinal cord have manifestations in the eye, which are often evident before the emergence of clinical neurological symptoms. London et al. highlight how investigation of the eye represents a noninvasive approach to the detection and diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, and discuss how eye research could provide a valuable model to study CNS disorders.

Anat London, Inbal Benhar & Michal Schwartz
Nature Reviews Neurology 9, 44-53 (January 2013) | doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2012.227