Cat or dog eye test is clue to brain decline
FOOTBALL clubs’ measures for dementia sufferers will help extend and improve lives, says a top doctor.
Professor Alistair Burns praised several including Everton, Aston Villa and Derby County for running activities and workshops for people living with the condition.
And the clinical director for dementia and older people’s mental health at NHS England is encouraging pursuits such as walking football to keep older brains active.
Prof Burns said: “Dementia can lead to social isolation with people feeling disconnected from their communities and families after a diagnosis which is why community schemes like these are so vital in helping people maintain these connections and live rich, active lives.”
Everton FC’s scheme Pass On The Memories, delivered with Mersey Care NHS Trust, helps about 300 people each year with sports reminiscence workshops, along with bingo and dancing sessions.
The club’s Stand Together programme aims to tackle social isolation among the over-70s by getting them involved in stadium tours and talks on Everton history.
The English Football League Trust
A SIMPLE eye test could help spot Parkinson’s disease sufferers who are likely to also develop dementia, scientists have said.
Researchers found that patients who struggle to differentiate between distorted images of cats and dogs were at greater risk even if they have not noticed any changes in their vision.
The tests could help track disease progression and determine who may benefit from clinical trials for treatments. Dementia affects half of people with Parkinson’s within 10 years of diagnosis.
Insight
Dr Rimona Weil, who led the study, said: “It appears that Parkinson’s disease affects not only the brain, but the eyes as well, which could provide new insights into how the disease develops.”
The team at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London conducted cognitive, motor and eye tests on 146 people, 112 of whom had Parkinson’s.
The eye checks included asking patients whether a skewed image was a cat or dog.
A study earlier this year found that those who struggled to distinguish between the animals were more likely to see their Parkinson’s symptoms worsen in the following year.
Professor David Dexter, deputy director of research at Parkinson’s
UK, said: “The changes in vision observed in this study highlights the potential of such tests to identify people at risk of developing dementia. It could ultimately help with the urgent need to provide better treatments and care.”
Sean Blackmore was diagnosed with dementia last year – five years after developing Parkinson’s. He said he would have taken the eye test had it been available.
The former bus driver, 52, from Gloucester, said: “With Alzheimer’s dementia I find it hard to plan anything.
“If this turns out to be something that really does work it will help people to understand what could happen in the future.”