Virtual reality could help spot brain diseases earlier

Virtual reality may soon help detect Alzheimer’s long before symptoms are obvious, according to new research from Professor Sukhi Shergill at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust who conducted a new study alongside Zhao Liu, Daniele Soria, Daniel Jie Lai, Jinbao Zhang, and Chee Siang Ang.

The study, in conjunction with the University of Kent explores how immersive virtual reality (VR) assessments may detect subtle changes in memory and behaviour that are not always picked up by traditional tests, offering potential new ways to support earlier diagnosis and care planning.

The approach uses virtual reality headsets to place someone inside a realistic, computer-generated setting, such as a street or a room. Researchers looked at whether moving through these virtual spaces could help identify early changes in memory and behaviour.

The study, published in the journal ‘Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring,’ reviewed findings from several studies. It found that VR tasks can pick up small changes in thinking, movement and decision-making that may not always be seen in standard tests.

These early changes are often the first signs of conditions that affect the brain. Being able to identify them sooner could help people get the right support earlier and plan future care.

Professor Sukhi Shergill, Director of Research at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, and joint senior author of the study said:

“Finding brain diseases early is one of our biggest challenges. This review shows that virtual reality could help us notice small changes in memory and behaviour that are easy to miss in standard assessments.

“For people, this could mean concerns are picked up sooner, giving more time to plan, access support sooner and take part in treatment or research.”

The full study is available via Wiley Online Library in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.