"Midlife Spatial Navigation Issues Could Predict Alzheimer's Decades in Advance"

A study led by UCL suggests that poor spatial navigation could be a predictor of Alzheimer’s disease more than 20 years before memory loss symptoms start. Using virtual reality, researchers found that people at risk of the disease had impaired spatial navigation before problems with other mental functions, and this impairment was observed in men but not women. The findings may lead to the development of a diagnostic support tool for the NHS, potentially aiding in early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, which is crucial for accessing the right support and treatment.