Dementia, a syndrome linked to an ongoing decline in brain function, affects over 944,000 individuals across the UK. This number is on the rise due to increased life expectancy.
It’s estimated that one in three people will develop dementia during their lifetime. There are numerous forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, with symptoms ranging from memory loss and slowed thinking speed to language difficulties, comprehension issues, and mood changes.
Although there is currently no cure for dementia, early diagnosis can be crucial in slowing down the progression of the syndrome and ensuring appropriate treatment and support. To facilitate early detection, there are several signs to watch out for, including a simple at-home test.
US-based neurologist Dr Bing, also known as Baibing Chen, recently outlined five straightforward tests that could aid in the early identification of dementia. One such test involves standing on one leg, which he claims assesses “balance and motor coordination”.
In a recent TikTok video, the brain health advocate explained: “For a person with two legs and no mobility issues, difficulty standing on one leg for at least 30 seconds has been linked to a higher risk of dementia and stroke. This is because it can reflect subtle deficits in brain areas controlling your balance and motor skills.
Research published in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke has revealed that struggling to balance on one leg for 20 seconds or more could be linked to an increased risk of small blood vessel damage in the brain and reduced cognitive function in otherwise healthy individuals with no clinical symptoms. “Our study found that the ability to balance on one leg is an important test for brain health,” stated Yasuharu Tabara, PhD, lead author of the study and associate professor at the Center for Genomic Medicine at Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine in Kyoto, Japan.
He added: “Individuals showing poor balance on one leg should receive increased attention, as this may indicate an increased risk for brain disease and cognitive decline.”
Dr Bing also suggested other tests that can be used to detect dementia at home, such as a smell test, because early dementia often affects the smell centre of your brain. Therefore, problems identifying what a smell is can “indicate neurodegeneration such as those with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.”
Another test is the clock-drawing test, which involves asking a person to draw a clock set at a specific time. While it may sound simple, it can indicate if a person has “difficulty with spatial organisation, attention and planning”.
He then discussed the dual task gait test, which assesses a person’s ability to walk while performing a cognitive task, such as counting backwards. Finally, he suggested that a verbal fluency test could be a good indicator.
This involves asking someone to name as many items within a specific category as they can within a set time limit. If you’re concerned about symptoms of dementia, it’s recommended to consult your GP.