Dr. McArdle: Dementia can be detected by a person's gait

0

The development of dementia with age scares many . According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this disease is present in 55 million people worldwide. It is expected that by 2030 their number will increase to 78 million. Most often, people associate dementia with memory problems. However, a new study has shown that a person's gait can tell a lot at the initial stage of the disease.

The study identified a connection between a person's gait and the onset of dementia with Lewy bodies or Alzheimer's disease.

Although both variants are forms of dementia, the latter being the most common and usually defined by memory problems, while the former is associated with motor problems.

To test their theory, the researchers recruited 110 people with the corresponding diagnoses and 29 adults over age 65 without disease. Each participant was then asked to walk on a mat equipped with sensors to measure parameters of walking, including pace, the distance between each step and the difference between how long each foot spent on the ground.

The results showed that both groups of participants, who were diagnosed with dementia walked differently than the control group.

Dr Riona McArdle, lead author of the study, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Newcastle, notes that they took shorter steps at a slower pace, with each leg spent more time on the ground.

Researchers note that the results could be useful for detecting the disease in its earliest stages, as most modern methods, such as brain scans and memory tests, are good for more advanced stages. Another important point is the differentiation of types of dementia, which will allow choosing a more appropriate therapy.