The Science

Eye movements in central nervous system diseases

Eye movements have long been recognized as an important tool in studying Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases, with research demonstrating their potential to assess a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, and Alzheimer’s.

These ocular measures provide valuable insights into the specific neural pathways affected by disease, offering a unique and objective method of evaluating neurological status.

Eye movements are often described as “a window to the brain,” as they allow for precise, unbiased assessments that enable stratification of patients by disease stage, phenotype, or progression rate.

Historically, collecting eye movement data required cumbersome, lab-based equipment with head restraints and lengthy sessions. However, recent technological advances have ushered in significant innovations to this process. With more accessible, user-friendly platforms, eye-tracking is now feasible in everyday clinical settings.

This opens new possibilities for clinicians, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies engaged in drug development, patient monitoring, and personalized therapeutic strategies. The integration of ocular measures is driving a deeper understanding of CNS diseases and paving the way for more effective treatments.