Game Helps Early Detection of Alzheimer's

In June, researchers said that playing games can help prevent the onset of dementia. In August, research suggested that playing games might be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's patients. Now, an Australian company claims it has developed a game that can help with the early detection of Alzheimer's.

In an article in The Times of India, the company CogState is credited with developing a test "based on a simple playing card formula" which "determines whether a patient's thinking patterns have changed over time."

The CogState web site says the test "is a brief, accurate and reliable computer test specifically designed to measure an individual's memory, attention and decision making on repeated testing, so that any changes in cognitive ability can be detected."

The test is available for download from the CogState site.