Scientists develop test that could detect dementia nine years before the disease strikes READ MORE: What the experts do themselves to slash their risk of Alzheimer's By Colin Fernandez Science Correspondent For The Daily Mail Published: 11:22 BST, 6 June 2024 | Updated: 11:25 BST, 6 June 2024 e-mail 7 View comments Scientists have developed a first-of-its-kind test that could predict dementia up to nine years before a diagnosis — and with 80 per cent accuracy. Experts hope the findings mean a test for Alzheimer's, the leading cause of dementia, could be available 'within a few years'. The researchers, from Queen Mary University of London , claimed their method was better than memory tests or measurements of brain shrinkage, two commonly used diagnosis tools for the condition.
Their test uses brain scans while the brain is in 'idle mode' — a term for where the mind isn't focused on any particular specific task. They said this technique has the 'potential to fill an enormous clinical gap' by identifying people who are at risk of dementia and treating them before symptoms start to show. The researchers from Queen Mary University of London claimed their method was better than memory tests or measurements of brain shrinkage, two commonly used diagnosis tools.
The test uses brain scans while the brain is in 'idle mode' — where the mind is not focused on any particular task The team, led by Professor Charles Marshall, looked at brain scans from more than 1,100 people from UK B.
