The region’s health workers will be among the first in the world to test new methods of detecting Alzheimer’s disease.
GPs, community health workers and psychologists across Dumfries and Galloway will join colleagues in Brazil, Japan, Jamaica and Mexico in using two new tests which could allow earlier detection and diagnosis.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Rugby Union’s brain health clinic will be the first organisations in Scotland to pioneer the new tests.
The region’s Alzheimer Scotland dementia consultant, Wendy Chambers, said: “This is a tremendously exciting opportunity for us in Dumfries and Galloway.
“The two tests together could give us a much better chance of identifying Alzheimer’s early, which provides greater opportunities around management and treatment of the condition.
“This could slow down the progression of the disease, and reduce the impact on the person, their families and their community.”
She added: “Early detection will make it easier to support people to live well with dementia.”
The new tests include assessing someone’s cognitive ability and verbal memory using an iPad, which allows for a more detailed analysis of cognitive function.
Part of the test will ask someone to draw a clock face from memory. The digital cognitive assessment not only analyses the final drawing but also the person’s drawing process - enabling it to detect subtle signs of cognitive impairment.
The project is being led by Brain Health Scotland, a Scottish Government programme, hosted by Alzheimer Scotland and is part of the Davoz Alzheimer’s Collaborative. It was launched in 2021 and sees global leaders from healthcare, research, industry, and governments working together to accelerate and scale world-wide efforts to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease.
