New research suggests that analyzing the way patients walk could assist doctors in differentiating between two prevalent brain disorders. Medical professionals frequently face challenges in diagnosing early dementia with Lewy bodies compared to early Parkinson’s disease, as both conditions exhibit overlapping symptoms, such as altered movement. However, experts from the University of Waterloo have discovered that gait analysis might be key to distinguishing these diseases.

The study revealed that individuals with early dementia with Lewy bodies exhibited slower walking speeds, shorter strides, and a reduced walking rhythm compared to those with early Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Kaylena Ehgoetz Martens, who led the study, stated, “By comparing the stepping patterns of individuals with these conditions, we found that walking behaviors can indeed help differentiate between them.”

Dr. Ehgoetz Martens further explained, “These findings emphasize the potential of detailed movement measurement as a solution to a significant clinical issue.”

She added, “Since the initial symptoms of these diseases are so similar, misdiagnosis is a risk, which in turn affects treatment choices, care strategies, and the expectations of patients and their families.”

In the UK, an estimated 100,000 individuals live with dementia with Lewy bodies, making it the third most prevalent form of dementia after Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Additionally, around 166,000 people in the UK are affected by Parkinson’s disease, with numbers expected to increase as the population ages.

When distinguishing between the two, doctors will also consider other symptoms.

If memory problems occur before movement is affected, then dementia with Lewy bodies is more likely to be the cause than Parkinson’s, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Simple walking assessments could help doctors diagnose the two conditions more accurately and at an earlier stage, according to the researchers.

They found that the differences in gait were most pronounced when people were asked to perform a second task, such as counting backwards.

Dr Ehgoetz Martens added: “Asking participants to walk while counting backward revealed changes that weren’t as obvious during regular walking.

“Ultimately, the goal is to identify individuals sooner, intervene earlier and improve quality of life before symptoms become more severe.”

The findings were published in the journal Gait & Posture.