A recent study led by UCL researchers has uncovered a potential warning sign for Alzheimer’s disease that may appear years before other symptoms. The study, funded by the Alzheimer’s Society and an MSD research grant, tested the spatial navigation abilities of 100 asymptomatic adults in a virtual reality environment.
The findings revealed that those at risk for Alzheimer’s showed impairments in spatial navigation, even in the absence of other cognitive issues. Interestingly, the impairment was observed more in men than in women, indicating a potential gender difference in how the disease may present in its early stages.
According to Dr. Richard Oakley from the Alzheimer’s Society, these findings could have significant implications for early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s. He emphasized the importance of early and accurate diagnosis for individuals to access the right support and treatment for dementia.
The study suggests that impairments in spatial navigation may manifest years, or even decades, before other symptoms of Alzheimer’s become apparent. Researchers are hopeful that this discovery could lead to the development of a diagnostic support tool for the NHS in the near future.
The results of the study have been published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. The researchers involved in the study are now working towards further understanding the implications of these findings and how they can be used in clinical practice to benefit individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
