Speaker
Description
The retina is a relatively accessible part of the central nervous system that performs the first stages of visual processing through a sophisticated neural architecture. It is closely linked to deeper brain structures through complex pathways. As such, it has long been considered a window onto neural function, both in fundamental neuroscience and in clinical contexts. While structural retinal changes have been associated with neurological disease, recent advances in multimodal optical imaging have enabled characterization beyond morphology. Emerging approaches targeting biochemical, metabolic, and functional signals suggest that retinal optical interrogation may provide opportunities for non-invasive screening and longitudinal monitoring of neurological conditions. This talk will review recent developments in optical methods for probing the living retina, with a focus on their potential for assessing brain-related pathology.