Detecting Alzheimer's early is very important, as it will help us understand the disease better and aid us in developing treatments that might slow the onset of symptoms.
Two new studies presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Vancouver, BC have reported that changes in gait can be detected early on in the disease process.
One study found that "variability in gait and a diminished ability to walk steadily while performing a second task were each associated with greater cognitive impairment on standard neurocognitive tests."
The second study found that slow walking speed in their homes had brain differences from non-Alzheimer's patients and that walking speed differences were found when compared to home and the clinic. This means that clinicians might be overestimating the patients walking ability.
