Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. We have no cure for it, and therapies that slow them down still require early diagnosis to be effective.

But that's not to say we're not progressing slowly. A team of german researchers from the University of Rostock have found that simple motion sensors can pick up physical activity changes associated with the disease. It may also diagnose Alzheimer's more effectively than other methods.

Using three-axis accelerometers, usually found in any good fitness tracker, they placed them on the ankles of diagnosed Alzheimer's patients and on healthy caretakers living in the same home.

The researchers were able to discern Alzheimer's patients from healthy control subjects 91% of the time. Could it be that these motion detectors were more sensitive than the standard method?

This could give doctors a better way to monitor the disease's progression and also plan for any interventions.

[Journal of Alzheimer's Disease via MedicalXpress]