Changing driving habits could be a dementia indicator

GPS trackers used to chart brain health in new research

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Changing driving habits could be an early indicator of dementia, suggests new research.

People with a precursor to Alzheimer's disease start getting behind the wheel less - especially at night - and stick to familiar routes, according to the study.

GPS trackers spotted brain health issues better than age or memory tests alone, say American scientists.

And adding driving data to the mix increased the accuracy in detecting cognitive decline to 87 per cent.

Monitoring how older people drive could help catch brain changes early - before any crashes happen, according to the research team.

It's a situation that is being explored through a storyline in EastEnders, where the character Nigel Bates is diagnosed with early onset dementia.

Nigel took his beloved car for a final, secret drive despite his dementia, which resulted in a car crash that leaves two people injured.