NORTH-East researchers are hoping to be able to detect Alzheimer’s at an early stage – by looking at the way people walk.

The scientists at Newcastle University are taking part in a £6.9m study which will see the most thorough tests to detect Alzheimer’s disease performed on volunteers.

The research project has been designed to identify measureable characteristics, known as biomarkers, which can detect the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease very early on - when a person may have no obvious symptoms.

The team in Newcastle will be analysing people’s gaits – the way they walk – using monitors to pick up subtle changes in a person that the eye might not detect.

Lynn Rochester, Professor of human movement science at Newcastle University, said: “This has the potential to change dementia research.

“It is the most in-depth study to date to establish the best combination of tests to identify people with Alzheimer’s disease at a very early stage, tracking changes over a short period of time.

“The project is unique because it includes more novel tests such as gait, which has been combined with the use of wearable technology, allowing testing to take place at home and in the clinic.”

Volunteers will take part in a test which works by attaching a small monitor to the lower back.

The study participant will then wear the monitor for a week as they go about their everyday life and data will be recorded.

The study, which is funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and the Medical Research Council (MRC), is being led by the University of Oxford and involves eight UK universities and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Researchers will perform up to 50 tests on 250 volunteers, including new tests never used before to detect dementia.

They hope the new biomarkers will be used alone and alongside tests such as brain imagining and memory assessment to recognise early stages of the disease and those who may be suitable for treatment trials.

Between 2002 and 2012, 99% of clinical trials into treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, which is incurable, failed.

It is thought this is because treatments are being tested on those who already have irreparable damage to the brain.

It is likely treatments will be more effective in slowing or stopping the onset of dementia at earlier stages of the disease.

Dr Rob Buckle, director of science programmes at the MRC, said: “Our goal is to find treatments that can slow down or even stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Finding biomarkers for clinical trials is crucial for fast-tracking decisions as to whether a trial should stop or continue, and the faster we can find out which drugs work and which ones don’t, the faster we can benefit patients.”