Five simple tests that may detect early signs of dementia
A leading neurologist has revealed five quick and easy tests that could help detect the early signs of dementia — a condition affecting millions worldwide and often diagnosed too late for maximum treatment benefit.
US-based neurologist Dr Baibing Chen, known as Dr Bing on social media, shared the methods with his followers, explaining that each test takes only about two minutes but can reveal subtle brain changes that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, can slowly erode memory, thinking ability, and independence. According to The Alzheimer’s Society, early diagnosis is crucial to accessing treatment and slowing disease progression.
1. Stand-On-One-Leg Test
Participants attempt to stand on one leg for 30 seconds. Difficulty maintaining balance — in those without mobility issues — has been linked to a higher risk of dementia and stroke. This reflects potential deficits in brain areas controlling balance and motor skills.
2. Smell Identification Test
This involves identifying specific odours. Early dementia can impair the brain’s smell centre, and research shows older adults struggling with odour detection are more likely to develop dementia within five years.
3. Clock-Drawing Test
The clock drawing test relies on the patient remembering what a clock face looks like — a skill known as executive function, which involves how we plan, organise and complete tasks.
A well-established diagnostic tool, patients are asked to draw a clock face, place all numbers, and set the hands to a specific time. Errors in spatial organisation, attention, or planning can signal early Alzheimer’s or other cognitive decline.
4. Dual Task Gait Test
Participants walk while performing a mental task, such as counting backwards. Struggling with this may indicate problems in executive function, attention, or memory — all areas affected in dementia.
5. Verbal Fluency Test
The individual names as many items as possible from a category, such as animals, within one minute. Difficulty generating words may signal decline in brain regions impacted by Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal dementia.
Why it matters:
There are currently around 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK and 6.7 million in the US. These numbers are projected to rise dramatically in coming decades. Alzheimer’s disease alone accounts for 50–75% of all dementia cases.
While these tests are not diagnostic, they can flag early concerns for further medical evaluation. As Dr Bing emphasizes, early recognition allows patients to seek expert care and implement lifestyle or treatment strategies sooner.
Stay informed. Stay ahead.
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