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A new study may hold the key to diagnosing the disease in its first stages, writes Shane Cochrane

Currently there are more than 41,000 people living with dementia in Ireland. The vast majority of these have the form of dementia called Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a build-up of protein in the brain that causes plaques and tangles that interfere with the normal working of the brain.

The disease can progress quite slowly at first. Memory loss is often the first sign. Sometimes it's being stuck for words. Sometimes it's being lost in a familiar place. By the time the symptoms are recognised and the lengthy and difficult medical tests are completed, the disease can be quite advanced.

However, in a study at Lancaster University, researchers may have found a way to accurately and easily diagnose Alzheimer's in its early stages.

The study involved both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients, along with a control group of healthy older people. Each experiment in the study entailed monitoring the eye movements of the participants as they completed a number of tests involving a target light projected onto a screen.

In one test, participants had to glance from the centre of the screen to the target light, and back to the centre again, as quickly and accurately as possible. But in a second test, participants had to look away from the light when it appeared.

It was this second test that those with Alzheimer's had difficulty with; they continually failed to look away from the light. Even after identifying their error, they still had difficulty averting their gaze.

This error was not made by the patients with Parkinson's disease or by any of the control group.

According to Dr Trevor Crawford, who led the research: "It appears to be the difficulty that Alzheimer's patients experience in the monitoring and correcting of their errors that distinguishes Alzheimer's from several other disorders."

Dr Crawford believes that the difficulty that the Alzheimer's participants had in recognising and correcting their errors was due to impairment in an area of memory called the spatial working memory.

It's early days in the research, but Dr Crawford believes that it may lead to an effective tool in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, something which is very much needed.

"The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is currently heavily dependent on the results of a series of lengthy neuropsychological tests. However, patients with a dementia often find that these tests are difficult to complete due to a lack of clear understanding and lapses in their attention or motivation."

Grace Cassidy of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland agrees that some of the methods can be difficult.

"Some people object to the Mini Mental State Exam. They don't like being asked questions or to do tasks such as the clock drawing test. It is difficult for everyone present if someone is asked to draw a clock and they cannot complete the task or can only complete part of it."

The time taken to produce a definitive diagnosis is also a problem with current methods, according to the Alzheimer Society.

"The time it can take for a diagnosis of early stage dementia is often a source of frustration. People have been diagnosed with other conditions, such as depression, and their dementia can be missed. This can happen when someone is under 65, as a diagnosis of dementia is not an obvious conclusion."

Possibly the most important potential benefit of this test then is that it may provide an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

The current drug treatments for Alzheimer's are most effective in the early stages of the disease, so an earlier diagnosis and treatment plan can greatly improve the patient's quality of life.

But an early diagnosis also allows the individual, and their family, time to adjust to the condition and make plans. According to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, there are 41,700 people living with dementia in Ireland, and the majority of those are cared for by a family member.

"Dementia is a life-changing condition, not only for the person with the condition, but for their entire family. The condition impacts relationships and eventually every aspect of day-to-day living. Family carers are affected emotionally, physically and financially.

"Current families face the daunting task of navigating a system that is complex and difficult and does not provide enough dementia-specific specialist services. They face challenges accessing information about the condition, accessing support to manage the symptoms associated with the condition and accessing services in their area."

Dr Crawford's findings are based on a very small sample of people and more research is required. It does seem, however, that positive steps towards an effective diagnostic tool are being made.

Success in this could greatly affect the lives of thousands of families here.

Those who are affected by Alzheimer's disease, or just want to know more, may be interested in attending the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's Awareness evening at 7pm this Wednesday in The Davenport Hotel, Dublin.

The event is free and will feature talks by a number of medical and legal experts. Information and advice will also be available at the event.