Researchers fight Alzheimer's with fitness gadgets

Medical researchers in Austin are using commercially available technology to determine who is at risk of longer-term cognitive dysfunction such as Alzheimer's disease.

Why it matters: The research at the University of Texas' Dell Medical School could help doctors intervene before conditions worsen.

• There is no cure for Alzheimer's and related dementias, so prevention is key.

How it works: Researchers are focused on who develops delirium — a sudden decline in awareness, attention and thinking — which is a precursor to dementia.

• By using commercially available wearable sensors, researchers can monitor temperature, heart rate and sleep patterns among people aged 65 and up for any changes ahead of the onset of delirium.
• They're then using machine-learning algorithms to determine who is at risk of longer-term cognitive dysfunction.

What they're saying: "Clinicians have known for a long time that minor medical conditions and surgical procedures can tip older individuals with mild cognitive impairment into a state of severe and sudden delirium," David Paydarfar, chair of Dell Med's Department of Neurology, said.

• "We are interested in detecting and reversing delirium early because we hypothesize that delirium is a neurotoxic state that damages neurons and accelerates brain degeneration leading to dementia."

Of note: Researchers are recruiting people over age 65 who are admitted to Dell Seton Medical Center or Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin — and are not recruiting from the general public in this initial study.

The bottom line: We cheer for anything that staves off the ravages of dementia.