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| - Last Updated on May 26, 2024 by Team THIP
Quick Take
A popular game is being created and circulated on social media that claims finding the camel in a maze of photos is a test for Alzheimer’s Disease. Despite being written off by Fact checkers multiple times, this test, popularly known as camel test for alzheimer’s, continues to exist in social media, forums and YouTube videos. It is a human face created by placing photos of various animals. The claim is that if one manages to find the image of the camel among all other animals, then he can be assured of not having Alzheimer disease. We mark this as False.
The Claim
The claim goes with the image shown below. The captions read, “If you can find the camel in the picture then you are safe from Alzheimer’s Disease”. This test is known as “Camel Test for Alzheimer’s” or “Finding the camel test” on social media.
Fact Check
Is ‘find the camel’ a valid test for Alzheimer Disease?
Fact Checkers have already investigated and found that the image is doctored. The original image never had a camel in in the first place. The camel was inserted later in the left cheek of the face. You can read the detailed analysis of the doctored image here.
Dementia Central has a list of scientifically approved tests for Alzheimer’s disease listed here. “Find the camel” test for Alzheimer’s Disease is not one of them.
We asked Neurologists and Neuro-psychologists on whether camel test for Alzheimer’s disease have any scientific validity.
Dr. Pawan Raj, Associate Professor & Consultant Neurologist at Father Muller Medical College says, “No it is not a valid test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.”
Same answer is echoed by Shallu Joon, Clinical Neuropsychologist at National Brain Research Centre, “Many messages like this circulate on social media claiming to test/screen various psychiatric or neurological disorder. I have also seen these random Images claiming to test intelligence or personality types or memory capabilities etc. We only rely on reliable and valid neuropsychological tests with research based evidence backing those. So I don’t find this as a test to detect Alzheimer’s disease.”
There are other similar misinformation on social media about curing Alzheimer’s disease by fixing metabolic health of a person.
What is Alzheimer Disease?
The US National Department of Aging mentions, ‘Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Scientists don’t yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease in most people. In people with early-onset Alzheimer’s, a genetic mutation may be the cause. Late-onset Alzheimer’s arises from a complex series of brain changes that occur over decades. The causes probably include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.’
Can Alzheimer Disease be detected or prevented by solving puzzles like these?
Dr. Raj points out to a recent study in Neurology, a peer-reviewed neurology journal. As per the study published on June 2020, combination of healthy lifestyle choices may cut the dementia risk by up to 60% which includes “engagement in late-life cognitive activities”.
We have covered the medically verified ways of reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease here.
Can you test yourself for Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr. Raj says, “You cannot diagnose yourself. The diagnosis of Alzhiemer’s has to be done by a physician after interviewing and examining the patient with memory loss. There is no gold standard test to confirm Alzhiemer’s disease but some tests are being developed. However If you have a strong suspicion, you can screen yourself by administering various validated self assessment test which can assess your memory and cognitive function Eg: SAGE questionnaire, MMSE, miniCog assessment etc. A set of validated online tools are available here.”
Joon says, “Every memory problem is not indicative of having Alzheimer’s Disease. So only a person of knowledge can differentiate and go to actual reasons of the issue. Testing on own is not possible however if one is aware about Alzheimer’s Disease then he/she can seek early medical help which will help in better management. A person who is initial stage facing memory problems and other cognitive issues might indicate towards mild cognitive impairment (MCI) should seek professional help only.”
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