Australian researchers say they have devised a first-of-its-kind tool that can accurately predict when a person will experience their first symptoms of dementia, based on their age and interview responses.
The Flory Dementia Index was designed using neuropsychological data from approximately 3,800 healthy participants enrolled in three Alzheimer's disease studies. The researchers predicted when these adults would develop symptoms of dementia and compared their estimates to the actual age of diagnosis.
“Our test needs to be prospectively validated, but it could be used as a screening tool for people over 60 without symptoms of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease, especially those at risk,” Nicholas said. (Yijun) Pan said. A researcher at Australia's Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.
Pan co-authored The paper was published in JAMA Network Open on Wednesday This revealed model results that had a margin of error of approximately 18 months for mild cognitive impairment and 8 months for dementia.
This tool relies on patient scores. Clinical evaluation of dementia (CDR) assesses memory, judgment, hobbies, and other lifestyle factors based on interviews with them and their caretakers.
Dr. Liron SinghbaniDirector of Geriatric Hospital Services at Northwell told the Post that the CDR is “very comprehensive” but “rarely used in routine clinical practice where providers opt for more concise assessments.”
“In that sense, the practicality of this is questionable.” [dementia tool]However, we now also have an electronic version of this assessment,” Simbani said. “However, the person performing this assessment requires training, and it can take 20 minutes or even longer.”
The Flory Dementia Index is not available to medical professionals and has not been tested in a clinical setting. Researchers hope that ultimately patients will have more time to make decisions about their treatment.
Nearly 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with dementia, which slowly erodes memory, thinking, and the ability to perform basic tasks.
There is no cure for dementia or Alzheimer's disease, but certain medications can help temporarily reduce or delay some symptoms.
“Dementia is a chronic, progressive disease and there is currently no cure. There are no meaningful treatments that can reverse the course of the disease,” Simbani said.
“So the question is, does anyone want to know if or when they will develop dementia? Can this information help someone, or will it make them more anxious? ” continued Mr. Singhvani.
