Surprisingly, mobile phones will now have the ability to detect the Alzheimer’s disease around 30 years before the symptoms appear, say researchers in a new study.
A new method developed by the researchers shows 90% accuracy in differentiating Alzheimer’s patients in comparison to 50% accuracy shown by the existing basic methods that utilize paper and pen questions.
The test utilized virtual reality (VR) headsets in order navigate recall of directions, which is the first skill that gets affected by Alzheimer’s as well as other dementia linked issues.
The researchers say that phones as well as gadgets like Fitbits may be able to perform similar examinations within a span of 5 years.
Dr. Dennis Chan, from the Cambridge University, who created the new technique in order to check 86 patients, said that he and his team didn’t want to continue with question and answers method which do not actually work.
According to Dr. Chan, the first thing which gets affected due to Alzheimer’s is navigation, if the patients begin using distinct routes. Dementia cannot remain hidden from such tests and within 5 years, Dr. Chan believes that they would be able to conduct the tests on smartphones and spot those, who are at a risk of developing Alzheimer’s, around 30 years before symptoms appear.
Though there isn’t any definite cure for Alzheimer’s, there are a few drugs available to curb its symptoms, said Dr. Chan. The doctors can offer lifestyle advice in order to lower the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s, he added.