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According to scientists, smartphones will be able to detect Alzheimer's disease until 30 years before the onset of symptoms.
The new digital test would be 90% accurate, compared to 50% for the current basic methods using pen and paper questions.
He uses virtual reality headsets to examine the recall of instructions – the first skill affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related ailments.
Experts say smartphones and gadgets like Fitbits could do similar checks within five years.
Dr. Dennis Chan of Cambridge University, who developed the technique for examining 86 elderly patients, said, "We do not want to continue with questions and answers that do not really work.
"It checks if behaviors change. The navigation is the first thing affected. Are you starting to take different routes or to double?
"It's an early red flag. You can not hide dementia from these tests. From here five years, we should be able to use them on smartphones. "
According to the Alzheimer's Association, 5.8 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease. By the year 2050, this number is expected to reach 14 million.
There is no cure, but some medications alleviate the symptoms. Dr. Chan, whose research appears in the Brain Journal, added: "The technologies and clothing applications will detect in advance the people most at risk.
"Doctors can intervene early with lifestyle counseling to reduce the risk of developing the disease. If effective medications have been identified, they can start treatment when they are most likely to help. "
Dr. Laura Phipps, from Alzheimer Research UK, looks forward to the progress of early detection.
"We need ways to diagnose earlier and more accurately," she said.
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