Patient records could help predict risk of developing dementia

A computer algorithm could help determine the risk of dementia
A computer algorithm could help determine the risk of dementia
ANDREW BROOKES/ CORBIS

Doctors can predict your risk of developing dementia by piecing together hidden clues contained in your medical records, researchers have said.

Crunching information routinely gathered during visits to the family doctor — such as the level of alcohol consumption, whether someone is underweight or if they have a history of depression — can pinpoint which patients are likely to have conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease in the next five years.

A new screening test for people aged 60 to 79 developed at University College London could be used to reassure patients who approach their GPs concerned that they might be developing dementia, the researchers said.

The computer algorithm was developed and tested using the patient records of almost 1 million individuals with no record of