Support

Explore

HomeNo Image is Available
About UsNo Image is Available
AuthorsNo Image is Available
TeamNo Image is Available
CareersNo Image is Available
InternshipNo Image is Available
Contact UsNo Image is Available
MethodologyNo Image is Available
Correction PolicyNo Image is Available
Non-Partnership PolicyNo Image is Available
Cookie PolicyNo Image is Available
Grievance RedressalNo Image is Available
Republishing GuidelinesNo Image is Available

Languages & Countries :






More about them

Fact CheckNo Image is Available
LawNo Image is Available
ExplainersNo Image is Available
NewsNo Image is Available
DecodeNo Image is Available
Media BuddhiNo Image is Available
Web StoriesNo Image is Available
BOOM ResearchNo Image is Available
BOOM LabsNo Image is Available
Deepfake TrackerNo Image is Available
VideosNo Image is Available

Support

Explore

HomeNo Image is Available
About UsNo Image is Available
AuthorsNo Image is Available
TeamNo Image is Available
CareersNo Image is Available
InternshipNo Image is Available
Contact UsNo Image is Available
MethodologyNo Image is Available
Correction PolicyNo Image is Available
Non-Partnership PolicyNo Image is Available
Cookie PolicyNo Image is Available
Grievance RedressalNo Image is Available
Republishing GuidelinesNo Image is Available

Languages & Countries :






More about them

Fact CheckNo Image is Available
LawNo Image is Available
ExplainersNo Image is Available
NewsNo Image is Available
DecodeNo Image is Available
Media BuddhiNo Image is Available
Web StoriesNo Image is Available
BOOM ResearchNo Image is Available
BOOM LabsNo Image is Available
Deepfake TrackerNo Image is Available
VideosNo Image is Available
Fact Check

Will Finding A Camel In An Image Help In Diagnosing Risk Of Alzheimer's?

Photoshopped image sparks rumours of ways of determining higher risk of Alzheimer's

By - Shachi Sutaria | 28 Sept 2019 1:51 PM IST

Can a complex cognitive disorder like Alzheimer's be determined by finding a small pixelated camel in an image full of animals? Social media users, especially on WhatsApp surely believe so.

A viral WhatsApp message states that if a person cannot find a camel in an optically created illusion, the individual faces the risk of suffering from Alzheimer's in the future. BOOM received this message on its WhatsApp helpline (+917700906111)

The image is a doctored version of an optical illusion wherein various animals have been strategically placed in a manner which resembles a human face.

The original image has been in circulation since 2009.

The camel has been inserted in the original version to create this message. BOOM found the doctored and original versions of the image. The doctored image has been in circulation since 2012.

Original version of the image

Camel inserted in the image

The claim in the message that a person may be living with Alzheimer's, if they cannot observe the camel is false.

BOOM contacted a neuropsychologist as well as a neurologist to examine the claim.

Ms. Shraddha Shah, a neuropsychologist with Sir H.N Reliance Hospital and founder of Synapsium Brain Health Clinic stated that this message is a hoax.

"Such messages have no other purpose but to induce fear among people. Dementia of which Alzheimer's is a form needs further understanding and people should educate themselves rather than relying on Whatsapp forwards".

What is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's disease is a disorder that causes brain cells to degenerate over time.

BOOM spoke to Dr. PR Krishnan, Neurology Consultant, at Fortis Hospital Bangalore to understand the reach of Alzheimer's.

"Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia- memory loss. It accounts for 65% of the dementias".

However, Shah believes that Alzheimer's is grossly misunderstood.

"The first thing that needs to be understood is that memory loss even though is the main symptom, is not the only one. Other cognitive and functional disabilities should be tested."

Diagnostic tests are the only way to deduce and confirm Alzheimer's according to Shah.

Dr. Krishnan agrees. "Along with the slow decline in memory there are other behavioural changes such as disorientation, delusion, difficulty in concentrating, aggression, restlessness, and personality changes among others."

"Alzheimer's is primarily a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It is important that caregivers are patient with people having Alzheimer's, " Dr. Krishnan concluded.

Currently around 4 million people are living with some form of dementia in India while around 44 million are living with the illness globally.

Tags: