text_1: Five-minute neck scan can spot dementia 10 years earlier, say scientists
text_2: The story focuses on research presented a conference that found increased intensity of “forward compression waves” (FCWs) in the carotid artery was associated with an increased risk of dementia later in life. The story didn’t tell readers this was an observational study–cause-and-effect couldn’t be established. Also, there is no discussion of the risks of this kind of screening test, notably the risk of false positives and false negatives. The study does not, as the headline states, allow doctors to “spot dementia 10 years earlier.” This is an important distinction. Identifying important risk factors for dementia can be valuable, in part because it gives patients opportunities to make lifestyle changes that may reduce that risk. On the other hand, telling readers that a test can spot dementia “10 years earlier” makes it sound as if the outcome is a foregone conclusion.