Dementia identified through sarcasm
They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit - now it may the highest form of diagnosing dementia, according to scientists in Australia.
Fronto-temporal dementia (FTD), commonly known as Pick’s disease is similar to Alzheimer’s disease but damages different regions of the brain. FTD affects around 11,000 people in Britain and this latest study into the condition suggests that an inability to recognise sarcasm may be the key to identifying the dementia risk.
FTD is commonly mistaken as having learning difficulties however in people under the age of 65 it is the second most common form of dementia.
Scientists examined a person’s ability to identify a discrepancy between what somebody says and the tone in which they say it. Results showed that an FTD sufferer can’t detect humour with double-meaning.
The tests involved 26 people with Fronto-temporal dementia and 19 Alzheimer’s disease sufferers. Participants listened to actors in different scenarios but using the same words. Lines were delivered at first with sincerity and then with sarcasm.
When delivered in a sarcastic tone, the humour was lost on patients with FTD who took it literally whereas Alzheimer’s disease sufferers got the joke.
The findings may go some way to explaining why Fronto-temporal dementia sufferers are unable to pick up on moods of people around them.
As the condition is very difficult to diagnose in its early stages, the sarcasm test could replace the expensive diagnostic tests that currently exist
Dementia conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Pick’s disease can be helped using alternative medicine and complementary therapy techniques.
Learn more about dementia and the therapies that can help here
Related News:
-
A Caregiver’s Guide to Lewy Body Dementia Lewy Body Dementia is the second leading cause of... Read Full Story » -
Dementia Care Mapping by Bradford Dementia Group A quick guide to Dementia Care Mapping... Read Full Story » -
Dementia With Dignity ( Preview ) A practical guide to caring for people with Alzheimers... Read Full Story » -
Dementia Care (Medicine) global dementia – click on the image below for more information... Read Full Story » -
Rarer causes of dementia – Alzheimer’s Society dementia brain video www.alzheimers.org.uk... Read Full Story »
