UK's middle-age population to be screened for dementia risk

Middle-aged people in England would be screened by family doctors for dementia risk and told how their "brain age" compared to their biological age, under new plans aimed at persuading people to adopt healthier lifestyles, Calgary Herald reported.

According to commentators this would mean a 40-year old could be told that he had the brain of a 60-year-old, and a significantly greater chance of diseases like Alzheimer's, on the basis of their weight, exercise habits, cholesterol levels and alcohol intake.

The new system of screening, devised by Public Health England meant patients would be told how their brain was ageing, as compared with  people with healthier life styles.

According to officials, behind the idea, they hoped the warning would encourage people to control their drinking and smoking and adopt a new diet to reduce their chance of dementia.

However, according to critics, the plans were "heavy-handed and intrusive" and would put a scare in millions without giving them an accurate forecast of the true risk of dementia.

GPs would pilot the computer-based test over the coming months, which would be introduced in the England if the move is backed by authorities.