In the continuous effort to look for a way to delay if not cure Alzheimer's, a group of scientists from the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Bonn has revealed that the disease could now be predicted thru a series of virtual reality tests long before the disease is diagnosed.
Volunteers aged 18 to 30 were asked to navigate through a virtual maze to test the function of certain brain cells as reported in BBC News. In the world of virtual reality, the volunteers were asked to collect everyday objects that are scattered around in a place of mountains, grass and blue sky. They are then asked to return the items back to the exact place where they were picked initially.
The scientists hope to identify those with a higher risk of genetic risk of developing Alzheimer's by examining the function of certain brain cells during the virtual exercise. The researchers have concluded that those with a higher risk of developing the disease have different brain signal that registered decades before the disease is diagnosed. They also manoeuvre around their virtual world differently compared to others who are not diagnosed with the condition.
The scientists, led by Lukas Kunz of the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Bonn, say that the high risk group navigated the maze differently and had reduced funtioningy of a certain type of brain cell involved in spatial navigation. These findings could shed light into why people with dementia have difficulty navigating the world they are in.
"Our results could provide a new basic framework for preclinical research on Alzheimer's disease and may provide a neurocognitive explanation of spatial disorientation in Alzheimer's disease," they report in Science. The results of the study were published in the journal Science, and the scientists believe that the virtual reality test could aid with future research and treatment of Alzheimer's.
"Our results could provide a new basic framework for preclinical research on Alzheimer's disease and may provide a neurocognitive explanation of spatial disorientation in Alzheimer's disease."
Health officials believe that around 30,000 patients could be saved annually if the onset of Alzheimer's could be detected and delayed for at least five years.
