Surprise symptoms that can appear years before dementia

In a world-first study, Melbourne researchers have identified two, easy-to-measure symptoms that can predict your dementia risk.

A slow walk and weak grip could predict your risk of dementia years before noticeable symptoms begin, a world-first Melbourne study has revealed.

Researchers found adults’ risk of dementia increased by almost 90 per cent when they experienced a decline in both walking speed and grip strength over five years.

This also increased the risk of general cognitive decline by more than half, the study found.

Researchers hope the study — published in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring journal — could now provide a window for early treatment.

They studied data first collected in the ASPREE trial, which tracked more than 18,000 initially healthy adults — the majority of whom were Australian and aged 70 and older — over five years.

A decline in both walking speed and grip strength over five years may predict the onset of dementia.

Monash University senior research fellow Dr Suzanne Orchard said while the link between walking and dementia was known, they were unaware up until now that a combination of walking and grip strength was an even stronger predictor.

“I was very surprised,” she said.

“It’s really exciting and a very positive step for both the healthcare of older people as well as the healthcare providers, because it provides them a very easy, low-cost, non-invasive measure to use.”

Researchers believe changes in the brain, which eventually lead to dementia, overlap with the areas of the brain responsible for movement, Dr Orchard said.

“Those physical abilities can decrease very early ... up to ten years before obvious symptoms,” she said.

Dr Orchard said the results do not mean everyone with declining mobility and strength would get dementia, but they do identify at-risk patients and improve their chances of slowing the disease.

The results of the study identify at-risk patients and improve their chances of slowing the disease.

“I think it arms people,” she said.

“If you are identified as being at a higher risk, it gives you time to work in conjunction with your doctor to reduce your risks by having a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and engaging in socially and mentally stimulating activities.

“While there are currently no cures for dementia, if identified early, treatment strategies

can be implemented to slow its progression and manage the symptoms.”

Melbourne’s Pat Shelper, who was involved in the study, loves weightlifting and running having just completed a 5km fun run on the weekend at the age of 81.

She said she strongly encouraged people to exercise more — which reduces their dementia risk — and welcomed the study’s focus on improving the wellbeing of older people.

“People think we’re past our use-by date,” she said.

“They think I’m abnormal, but I should be the norm.

“I really believe if we could get older people to do some strength training and walk a little bit faster, their life would be a whole lot better,” she said.

Originally published as Surprise symptoms that can appear years before dementia