Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Detecting MCI early can lead to better treatment options, but diagnosing it is not always easy.
The process can be slow and difficult, especially in rural areas where there are few specialists available.
To make cognitive testing more accessible, researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a simple and affordable device that can measure subtle changes in movement. This new system combines a depth camera, a force plate, and an interface board, making it easy to use in different locations.
The research team, which includes professors Trent Guess, Jamie Hall, and Praveen Rao, tested their device on older adults. Some participants had MCI, while others did not. They were asked to complete three activities: standing still, walking, and getting up from a bench. However, they had to do these tasks while counting backward by sevens—adding a mental challenge to the physical test.
The results, published in Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, showed that the portable system could identify people with MCI with 83% accuracy. The device captured small differences in balance, walking speed, and movement that might go unnoticed in a regular check-up.
The idea behind the system is that the brain areas responsible for thinking and movement are closely connected. When cognitive function declines, it can also affect a person’s ability to move. The device detects small changes in movement that may suggest early cognitive problems.
For example, some people with MCI take smaller steps, walk more slowly, or struggle to balance when doing a task that requires thinking at the same time. Others may take longer to stand up from a sitting position. The new device can measure these subtle differences much more accurately than a simple stopwatch or observation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to more than double by 2060. However, only about 8% of people with MCI receive an official diagnosis. Since new treatments for MCI are becoming available, early detection is more important than ever.
Dr. Hall believes this new system could be widely used in places like senior centers, assisted living facilities, community health clinics, and physical therapy offices. With more accessible screening tools, more people could be diagnosed and treated before their condition worsens.
Beyond detecting cognitive impairment, the device may have other uses. Dr. Guess is now studying whether it can also assess fall risk and frailty in older adults. In the future, it could help with conditions like concussions, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and rehabilitation after knee or hip replacements.
Many study participants had personal reasons for taking part—some had been diagnosed with MCI, while others had family members with Alzheimer’s. Their willingness to contribute highlights the importance of this research and its potential to improve early diagnosis and treatment.
With continued testing and development, this portable system could become a valuable tool in identifying cognitive decline early and improving care for millions of older adults.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about dietary strategies to ward off dementia, and how omega-3 fatty acids fuel your mind.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Choline deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and what to eat (and avoid) for dementia prevention.
The research findings can be found in Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders.
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