Tuesday, November 04, 2014

What could possibly go wrong?----Middle-aged to be given brain tests for dementia

Middle-aged to be given brain tests for dementia - Telegraph: "
Middle-aged people will be screened by GPs for their risk of dementia and told how their “brain age” compares to their biological age, under new plans to “scare” people into adopting healthier lifestyles.
It means a man of 40 could be told that he has the brain of a 60-year-old, and a significantly greater chance of diseases like Alzheimer’s, based on his weight, exercise habits, cholesterol levels and alcohol intake.
The new system of screening, devised by Public Health England (PHE) means patients will be told how their brain is ageing, compared to those with healthier lifestyles, in a bid to shock them into changing their ways.
Officials behind the idea say they hope the warning will encourage people to make major changes in their lifestyle, which will reduce their chance of dementia.
But critics said the plans were “heavy-handed and intrusive” and would frighten millions of people - without giving them an accurate forecast of their true risk of dementia."

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