Simple test may detect Alzheimer's

A simple test that involves writing down names of animals and objects may provide a quick way to detect the early onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Early diagnosis is an advantage because the patient can benefit from drugs that must be taken as early as possible to have the greatest effect.

Prof Andy Ellis of the University of York devised the uncomplicated test that so far has been tried on nearly 100 early-stage Alzheimer's patients and 40 controls. Individuals are asked to write down the maximum number of animals or objects they can think of in one minute.

Alzheimer's patients have problems remembering recent events and experiences but tend to retain early memories from their youth. This is reflected in the answers they gave to the research team conducting the tests.

Controls might write 20 to 25 names but those with early Alzheimer's might only offer 10 to 15, Prof Ellis said. The types of animals referred to was also an indicator, he added. Animals including cat, dog, cow and sheep were most frequently given by Alzheimer's patients, animals that they would have first learned of as children.