What ’s Your Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s?
A new online test which assesses the chance of developing Alzheimer’s should be taken by everyone over the age of 50, according to experts.
The 20-minute cognitive function test, launched online today, asks simple questions about lifestyle and diet and can calculate a person’s risk of being diagnosed with the brain condition.
Featuring a total of 37 questions, as well as additional interactive memory tests, experts believe the online assessment will help encourage people to change risk factors in their lifestyle and provide vital information about the disease.
Designed for those aged 50 to 70, it has been developed by Professor David Smith from Oxford University, who is one of the leading figures in Alzheimer’s research in Britain, and charity Food For The Brain.
Professor Smith, who has years of experience in cognitive function, said that as well as acting as a screening programme, the test also provides advice and a personalised health plan.
He told the Daily Express: ‘Not only does the test give people positive prevention steps to reduce risk in the long-term but also there’s an annual check-up so people can track how diet and lifestyle changes impact on their cognitive function.’
He hopes the results of hundreds of thousands of people doing the test will provide vital information to help develop a national prevention strategy.
The test, available on Food For The Brain’s website, has been launched after a successful pilot in which 200,000 people took part. It has also been trialled by experts at Cornell University’s Medical Centre in New York.
One in four people aged over 50 are predicted to develop Alzheimer’s at some stage in their life, and approximately 850,000 people in Britain are currently affected by the disease, which is the most common form of dementia.
There are currently no cures for the disease and risk factors are said to include a lack of intellectual stimulating activity, a lack of exercise and a low intake of vegetables and essential vitamins.
High sugar and fatty diets are said to increase the risk of developing the disease.
Take the complete test here: http://www.foodforthebrain.org/ (Be patient, site may be experiencing high traffic. Thank you.)
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