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Diagnosing the onset of early dementia could be as easy as a 30-minute consultation with a computer using a program being developed by The University of Queensland.

The program, funded by a $320,000 National Health and Medical Research Council grant, will be tested by GPs in Brisbane and Ipswich next year after being piloted in the laboratory.

Dr Nancy Pachana, the Director of Clinical Psychology in The University of Queensland's School of Psychology, is working on the program with Professor Michael Humphreys, Director of the Key Centre for Human Factors.

They are developing a test that is sensitive, easily delivered and of practical use to busy GPs.

Dr Pachana said early diagnosis would help identify people who might benefit from interventions, including medications, which might treat symptoms or improve quality of life.

"Early recognition of memory problems will also help people to plan for risks involved in everyday life, such as driving," she said.

The computer program would also screen for symptoms such as anxiety and depression, as well as other factors such as medications being taken, all of which can affect memory and test results.

Other University partners on the project include Associate Professor Gerard Byrne, Head of Psychiatry, and Professor Chris Del Mar, the Director of the Centre for General Practice at the School of Public Health.

Dr Nancy Pachana www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers/researcher/pachanana.html

Professor Michael Humphreys www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers/researcher/humphreysms.html

Associate Professor Gerard Byrne www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers/researcher/byrnegja.html

Professor Chris Del Mar www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers/researcher/delmarcb.html

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