For the First Time, Walking Patterns Identify Specific Types of Dementia

A study in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association has demonstrated that people with Alzheimer's or Lewy body dementia exhibit unique walking patterns that specify subtle distinctions between the two diseases, reports Medical Xpress . Persons with Lewy body dementia vary step time and length more often than those with Alzheimer's — and their movement is asymmetric. "The way we walk can reflect changes in thinking and memory that highlight problems in our brain, such as dementia," says Newcastle University's Ríona McArdle. "Correctly identifying what type of dementia someone has is important for clinicians and researchers as it allows subjects to be given the most appropriate treatment for their needs as soon as possible." The investigators analyzed the walk of 110 people, including 29 older adults with healthy cognition, 36 with Alzheimer's, and 45 with Lewy body dementia. The team observed that analysis of step length variability and step time asymmetry could accurately identify 60 percent of all dementia subtypes.