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Brain age tests to be offered to middle-aged in battle against dementia Brain age tests to be offered to middle-aged in battle against dementia
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Doctors are to offer middle-aged patients the opportunity to take a computer-based test designed to show how their “brain age” compares with their biological age as a way of encouraging them to pursue healthier lifestyles.Doctors are to offer middle-aged patients the opportunity to take a computer-based test designed to show how their “brain age” compares with their biological age as a way of encouraging them to pursue healthier lifestyles.
The computer-based test, devised by Public Health England, will be piloted by GPs in the next few months. The programme makes calculations based on the answers to questions about habits such as exercise, drinking, smoking and weight, combined with clinical data on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.The computer-based test, devised by Public Health England, will be piloted by GPs in the next few months. The programme makes calculations based on the answers to questions about habits such as exercise, drinking, smoking and weight, combined with clinical data on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
It means a man in his 40s who enjoys a daily drink, little exercise, and smokes, could be told that his brain is ageing at 1.5 times the speed of the normal ageing process – which would mean that his brain is functioning at the level of a 60-year-old. Health officials hope to make the test part of a system of checks already offered to 40-74-year-olds.It means a man in his 40s who enjoys a daily drink, little exercise, and smokes, could be told that his brain is ageing at 1.5 times the speed of the normal ageing process – which would mean that his brain is functioning at the level of a 60-year-old. Health officials hope to make the test part of a system of checks already offered to 40-74-year-olds.
Charles Alessi, Public Health England (PHE) lead on dementia, said the scheme was voluntary and did not amount to screening. “We already perform health checks and this extends what we are doing. We are not talking about screening and we are not compelling people to take the test,” he said.Charles Alessi, Public Health England (PHE) lead on dementia, said the scheme was voluntary and did not amount to screening. “We already perform health checks and this extends what we are doing. We are not talking about screening and we are not compelling people to take the test,” he said.
“We are offering people an opportunity to know exactly how risk factors can influence the rate of decline of their cognitive functions. Dementia is a whole group of conditions and we can manage some of the risks. We know, for example, smoking can accelerate cognitive decline.”“We are offering people an opportunity to know exactly how risk factors can influence the rate of decline of their cognitive functions. Dementia is a whole group of conditions and we can manage some of the risks. We know, for example, smoking can accelerate cognitive decline.”
Dementia experts welcomed the development of the test. The Alzheimer’s Society, which is working with PHE and academic partners on tools to help people understand their brain age and dementia risk, said the programme was in the early stages of development and that more research is needed before finding a reliable risk calculator.Dementia experts welcomed the development of the test. The Alzheimer’s Society, which is working with PHE and academic partners on tools to help people understand their brain age and dementia risk, said the programme was in the early stages of development and that more research is needed before finding a reliable risk calculator.
“We know that what’s good for your heart is good for your head, and increasing evidence shows that lifestyle choices like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing dementia,” said Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society. “GPs have conversations with patients about lifestyle every day, and it’s right that we continue to help them make informed choices. A risk calculator could be a useful tool in a clinician’s armoury but shouldn’t be imposed on patients.” “We know that what’s good for your heart is good for your head, and increasing evidence shows that lifestyle choices like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing dementia,” said Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society.
“GPs have conversations with patients about lifestyle every day, and it’s right that we continue to help them make informed choices. A risk calculator could be a useful tool in a clinician’s armoury but shouldn’t be imposed on patients.”
Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chair of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, was more sceptical of the screening tool. “Giving someone’s brain age in relation to their natural age doesn’t necessarily mean they are likely to develop dementia any earlier,” he said. “We’d need to really look at the research evidence and understand if there is any basis for this supposition.”Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chair of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, was more sceptical of the screening tool. “Giving someone’s brain age in relation to their natural age doesn’t necessarily mean they are likely to develop dementia any earlier,” he said. “We’d need to really look at the research evidence and understand if there is any basis for this supposition.”
The NHS came under fire last month for paying GPs to diagnose dementia by giving them £55 each time they identify the disease in a patient. The payments scheme, which NHS England has introduced to increase woefully low levels of dementia diagnosis, has been condemned as “odious” and “an intellectual and ethical travesty”.The NHS came under fire last month for paying GPs to diagnose dementia by giving them £55 each time they identify the disease in a patient. The payments scheme, which NHS England has introduced to increase woefully low levels of dementia diagnosis, has been condemned as “odious” and “an intellectual and ethical travesty”.
The organisation is offering to give GP surgeries £55 for every patient on their list who has been diagnosed with dementia in the six months to March, as part of a drive to get the rate of diagnosis up from about 50% to two-thirds of all those who develop the condition.The organisation is offering to give GP surgeries £55 for every patient on their list who has been diagnosed with dementia in the six months to March, as part of a drive to get the rate of diagnosis up from about 50% to two-thirds of all those who develop the condition.
It is estimated that more than 800,000 people in the UK have dementia, and this figure is projected to increase to more than a million by 2021 and to more than 2 million by 2051. As well as the personal cost to individuals with the disease, the overall economic impact of dementia in the UK is estimated to be £26bn per year.It is estimated that more than 800,000 people in the UK have dementia, and this figure is projected to increase to more than a million by 2021 and to more than 2 million by 2051. As well as the personal cost to individuals with the disease, the overall economic impact of dementia in the UK is estimated to be £26bn per year.