A dementia calculator has been developed by scientists which can predict your risk of developing the debilitating disease in the next five years.
The neurological condition occurs when parts of the brain become damaged over time, resulting in symptoms that impact memory, behaviour and personality. With no cure, dementia impacts thousands every year and certain risk factors can boost chances of its development.
Researchers at the Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa have created an online tool that examines takers' lifestyle choices and environment to estimate the likelihood of developing dementia in a five year time-frame.
The calculator - aimed at those aged over 55 - asks questions on diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol and existing health conditions to generate results. The online tool could help people lower their chances of developing dementia if they know what lifestyle changes to make to slow down its progression.
The questionable includes how many alcoholic drinks you've had in the past week, how much fruit or potatoes you consume and your education level. It also takes into account ethnicity, stress, marital status, education, sense of belonging, immigration status and number of languages spoken.
Dementia is an umbrella term to describe loss of cognitive functioning - thinking, remembering, and reasoning - to such an extent that it interferes with a person's life. According to government figures, it affects 90,000 people in Scotland.
The most common type being Alzheimer's disease, but it is not known exactly what causes dementia and there is no cure.
Researchers say the resource - published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community - can be used by individuals to assess their dementia risk and help them modify their lifestyle through physical activity, healthy eating and reducing alcohol and tobacco use.
The calculator was based on data from the Statistics Canada Canadian Community Health Surveys of 75,000 people. Experts say it can be adapted to over 100 countries worldwide.
Try out the new tool here.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.
