The way you solve tasks could point to dementia ‘nine years’ early

Dementia describes a cluster of symptoms linked to an ongoing cognitive decline. One of the primary goals of dementia research is to uncover mechanisms and signs that could identify the condition as early as possible. With this in mind, a study found that the way you solve tasks could ring alarm bells as early as ‘nine years ahead of diagnosis’.The first dementia signs are often subtle and appear years before the major symptoms strike but prompt detection is the first step to an early intervention.Fortunately, a study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, identified the ‘early’ signs that can appear as ‘early as nine years ahead of diagnosis’.The research noticed that people who went on to develop Alzheimer’s disease scored more poorly in problem solving tasks.While your attitude plays an important role when you’re faced with a new task, your memory and brain are also undeniable factors.READ MORE: Dyschezia could signal spreading tumour of bowel cancer – sign that strikes on loo Dementia: ‘Early’ symptoms include problem solving tasks – study. (Image: GETTY)Dementia Australia explains that patients might experience changes in their usual abilities, which could make familiar tasks seem too complex.Furthermore, they can gradually lose their ability to learn new tasks or skills.The charity explains that expecting people with the brain condition to learn how to face new problems could place unrealistic expectations on them.The Mayo Clinic adds that tasks may take longer than they used to so you should allow more time as well as breaks to tackle them.DON’T MISS  Problems with remembering lists of numbers was another early dementia sign. (Image: GETTY) From a healthy diet to exercise, there many ways to cut your dementia risk. (Image: Express.co.uk)The Cambridge scientists looked at around half a million UK participants between the ages of 40 and 69 before establishing the list of warning signs.Senior author Dr Tim Rittman from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge said: “People should not be unduly worried if, for example, they are not good at recalling numbers. ‘Even some healthy individuals will naturally score better or worse than their peers. ‘But we would encourage anyone who has any concerns or notices that their memory or recall is getting worse to speak to their GP.”