Scientists reveal how to spot dementia years before diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that signs of dementia can be detected up to ten years before a formal diagnosis. A study of half a million Britons showed that those who were later diagnosed had weaker cognitive test results as early as a decade prior. Early detection could enable more effective treatment and allow patients to participate in trials of new drugs.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered that the first signs of dementia can be identified a decade before a diagnosis is made. The study, reported by The Guardian, analyzed data from half a million Britons aged 40 to 69. Over ten years, participants underwent tests on memory, problem-solving ability, reaction time, and grip strength. It turned out that those who were later diagnosed with dementia had already shown weaker results ten years earlier. Early diagnosis opens up opportunities for more effective treatment and participation in clinical trials of new medications. Doctors will be able to apply preventive measures at an earlier stage, improving patients' quality of life.