Neurologist reveals five 2-minute tests that can spot hidden signs of early dementia

Are you worried that your memory isn’t what it used to be?

Now a neurologist has revealed some quick and easy tests that could reveal whether your forgetfulness could be something more sinister.

US-based neurologist Dr. Baibing Chen, who on social media is Dr. Bing shared five simple tests involving drawing and counting bells while walking that he said can spot the early signs of dementia.

In the video, which has been viewed 178,000 times on TikTok, Dr. Bing finds that these seemingly simple tests reveal whether certain parts of the brain are working properly.

Memory robbing disorder affects millions of people around the world, slowly taking away their independence.

But early diagnosis means patients can access treatments that combat symptoms, slowing the progression of deterioration.

The first test is a simple single-leg exercise. Patients should try to remain in this position for 30 seconds to check their balance and motor coordination.

‘For people with two legs and no mobility problems, the difficulty of standing on one leg for at least 30 seconds is linked to a higher risk of dementia and stroke,’ says Dr. Bing.

“This is because it may reflect subtle deficits in the areas of the brain that control your balance and motor skills,” he added.

According to Alzheimer’s UK, dementia can affect a person’s mobility, especially in the later stages.

The charity explains that it can cause people to gradually lose their ability to walk, stand and stand up. They are also more likely to fall over and struggle with their balance.

The second test mentioned by Dr. Bing is a smell test where the participant is asked to identify a series of odors.

That’s because early dementia can affect the olfactory center of your brain.

Dr. Bing said: ‘Problems with odor identification can indicate neurodegeneration, such as in people with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.’

One 2017 study revealed that cognitively healthy 57- to 85-year-olds who have difficulty detecting odors are more likely to develop dementia five years later.

The next by Dr. Bing mentioned test is the clock drawing test. The tool – used in some NHS diagnostic clinics – simply involves asking someone to draw a clock face on a blank sheet of paper.

The Clock Drawing Test relies on the patient remembering what a clock face looks like – a skill known as executive function, which involves the way we plan, organize and complete tasks

They must add all the numbers from one to 12 and then set the hands to a specific time, for example 11.10 (ten past 11).

The task relies on the patient remembering what a clock face looks like – a skill known as executive function, which involves the way we plan, organize and complete tasks.

Dr. Bing said, “I simply ask a patient to draw a clock that shows a specific time. If someone has difficulty with spatial organization, attention and planning, such as someone with Alzheimer’s disease, this task can be very difficult.’

Executive function is one of the cognitive skills that first begins to falter when dementia develops.

A crooked circle and misplaced numbers on this clock can indicate early signs of the condition.

The test is scored on a points basis, with one point awarded for each of the following criteria: How well the participant drew the clock circle, drew the numbers in the correct places, drew two hands on the clock and moved the hands to pointed out the correct time.

If the patient manages to draw a clock correctly, this ‘virtually rules out’ dementia as the task requires a wide range of cognitive skills, the NHS says.

Another test that Dr. Bing suggested to his followers was the so-called ‘dual task gait test’. This requires a participant to walk while completing a cognitive task such as counting backwards.

Around 900,000 Britons are currently thought to suffer from memory theft disorder. But scientists at University College London estimate that this number will rise to 1.7 million within 20 years as people live longer. It represents an increase of 40 percent compared to the previous forecast in 2017

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It can cause anxiety, confusion and short-term memory loss

“Difficulty with this may indicate problems with executive function, memory or attention,” he said.

Executive function involves the ability to solve problems and set goals.

Difficulty concentrating, remembering recent events and plans are all common symptoms of dementia.

The last test that Dr. Bing lists is the verbal fluency test.

To do this, participants are asked to list as many items as possible within a given category.

Dr. Bing suggests asking how many animals someone can name in one minute.

“Difficulty remembering words within a certain time frame may indicate decline in certain brain areas, such as those affected by Alzheimer’s disease or frontal temporal dementia,” he explained.

If a person’s temporal lobes are damaged, as happens in Alzheimer’s disease or frontal temporal dementia, people may find it harder to understand the meaning of words or have difficulty remembering words, according to Alzheimer’s UK.

According to The Alzheimer’s Society, there are currently around 982,000 people with dementia in Britain. This number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.

An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease today. This number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 percent of those diagnosed.