Play Your Part in Dementia Research with New GameChanger App

A new app, released today, is aiming to improve the diagnosis of dementia by using games to chart people's mental abilities over time.

The project, called GameChanger, uses a smartphone application consisting of 'brain games' specifically designed to provide researchers with information about how our brains work and change over time. The information taken from users will help researchers understand more about the effects of dementia on the brain.

The GameChanger research project is being carried out by Oxford University’s Big Data Institute supported by Alzheimer’s Society.

Alzheimer's Society Ambassador and Morse actor, Kevin Whately, was one of the first people to use the app.

"GameChanger is going to be a really important innovation for our researchers," said Whately. "It's vital for research that we get as many people as we can in the study."

The app asks users to spend just a few minutes each day playing games. This allows their progress to be charted and it is this long-term data that is invaluable in the study of dementia.

If you wish to take part you need an Apple or Android compatible device, be over the age of 18 and NOT currently have been diagnosed with dementia. You can sign up at www.joingamechanger.org.