Latest news with #NeilBurgess
News18
07-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Alzheimer's Warning: Struggles with Navigation May Surface Before Memory Loss
Last Updated: Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is often associated with memory loss. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia—a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. It primarily impacts older adults and leads to a continuous decline in cognitive abilities, interfering with daily life and independence. The condition is caused by the gradual degeneration and death of brain cells, which disrupts communication between neurons. This breakdown in brain function leads to symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language, problem-solving issues, and changes in mood or personality. Over time, these impairments worsen, making even basic tasks challenging. Although there is no cure, early detection and supportive care can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Early signs of Alzheimer's: What does the study say? A recent study published in Current Biology has revealed that early signs of Alzheimer's disease may manifest through difficulties in navigation rather than memory loss. The research, led by Professor Neil Burgess and his team from the Space and Memory group at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, examined how individuals navigate through space under different environmental conditions. Participants were divided into three groups—young adults, older adults, and individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition often seen as an early stage of Alzheimer's. Using virtual reality headsets, they were asked to walk along a guided route marked by numbered cones and then return to their starting point without any assistance. To assess their navigational abilities, researchers introduced three environmental variations: one unchanged, one with ground textures removed, and one where all visual landmarks were temporarily eliminated. The findings showed that participants with MCI experienced the greatest difficulty, particularly when familiar visual cues were missing. These results suggest that impairments in spatial awareness may serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease, potentially appearing well before memory-related symptoms become evident. Experts' suggestion Experts suggest that early detection of Alzheimer's is critical for effective intervention and improved long-term outcomes. Identifying navigational difficulties as a potential early symptom provides an opportunity to assess cognitive decline before more pronounced signs, such as memory loss, appear. They advise clinicians, caregivers, and family members to monitor changes in spatial orientation, such as disorientation in familiar environments, as these may serve as important early indicators warranting further medical evaluation. Dr. Leah Mursaleen from Alzheimer's Research UK emphasises the need for advanced diagnostic methods. She acknowledged the importance of exploring new methods, such as applying virtual reality environments, to assess navigational behaviour. Referring to the study, she said, 'These results suggest this method can differentiate between participants with early-stage Alzheimer's disease." According to Alzheimer's Society, spotting dementia early can be tricky, as the first symptoms are often subtle and easy to miss. However, they do acknowledge that trouble with navigation is one of the earliest changes seen in Alzheimer's, which makes this research especially important and relevant. First Published:
Perth Now
05-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Australian farmland values just keep on growing
Millions of hectares of Australian farmland have sold for a total of almost $15 billion, as agricultural property values rack up 11 years of growth. Median farmland values increased by 6.9 per cent in 2024 to a record $10,231 per hectare, according to Bendigo Bank's Agribusiness Farmland Values report released on Tuesday. But despite more than a decade of consecutive growth, the figures represent a cooling in the rate of annual increases compared to 2018 to 2022, when values more than doubled. "The underlying drivers of the Australian farmland market were more varied in 2024 with elevated interest rates a constant and with a greater mix of seasonal conditions," Bendigo Bank executive Neil Burgess said. "Favourable weather in NSW and Queensland has been in stark contrast to the significant lack of rain experienced in southern regions, which has been reflected in farmland prices." Victoria was the only state to experience a decline in the median price per hectare, along with slowing growth in South Australia due to drought conditions. Tasmania experienced the strongest growth year-on-year at 14 per cent, followed by Queensland at 12 per cent. Buyer sentiment was buoyed by a rebound in cattle prices in Queensland, the report said. The report showed 4.7 million hectares of farmland, roughly the size of Denmark, was sold for a combined value of $4.9 billion in 2024. The most valuable farmland was in Victoria's Gippsland region at $29,335 per hectare, followed by Tasmania's northwest at $27,019 and South Australia's Adelaide and Fleurieu regions at $22,488. Values are expected to record stronger growth in the second half of 2025, off the back of recovering livestock prices and rising crop production. Farmland availability is tight, with mixed seasonal conditions and uncertainties in global trade, Mr Burgess said. "So our outlook is for continuing moderate growth in farmland values across 2025."
