Fact check: Camel image test cannot determine risk of developing Alzheimer's disease
The claim: Ability to see a camel in an image indicates if you will develop Alzheimer's disease
A hoax circulating online claims to test whether a viewer will one day develop Alzheimer’s disease.
The image shows a human face made up of a collage of smaller images of animals. The caption encourages viewers to find a camel in the face and claims those who are successful are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s
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A reverse image search indicates the post has been spreading online since as early as February 2008. In late September, a 3-year-old Facebook post of the image began recirculating online, accumulating a total of more than 1,000 shares.
Other Facebook users shared the image from their own accounts.
“Doctors say those who find the camel will be far from developing Alzheimer's,” the post claims. It did not specifically name any doctors.
Experts say the claim is not accurate. There is no evidence the image can predict whether someone will develop Alzheimer's.
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Paste BN reached out to the Facebook users for comment.
Alzheimer's risk can only be assessed clinically
Several leading Alzheimer's researchers told Paste BN the camel test is not scientifically sound.
“I cannot see how this image would possibly detect Alzheimer’s disease,” Rudolph Tanzi, the vice-chair of Harvard Medical School’s Neurology Department, told Paste BN.
Tanzi, who specializes in Alzheimer's etiology and pathology research, said existing tests for Alzheimer’s risk involve positron emission tomography, or PET scans, as well as blood tests and genetic testing.
Dr. Stephen Salloway, the associate director of Brown University's Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research, told Paste BN individuals who fear they are developing Alzheimer’s should contact medical experts that can conduct cognitive memory tests. He said there is no simple, do-it-yourself test to accurately assess an individual's risk.
Salloway said researchers are exploring early treatments, involving lifestyle interventions and cognitive training, that may delay memory loss for those clinically recognized as having a high-risk of developing Alzheimer's.
“If someone is concerned they should go to a memory center to get evaluated,” Salloway said. “If you do it on your own, can’t find the camel and think you're going to get Alzheimer's, I don't think that's a good way to go.”
Our rating: False
Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim that ability to see a camel in an image indicates if you will develop Alzheimer's. Leading researchers said there are no do-it-yourself tests that can accurately assess Alzheimer’s risk. Clinical researchers assess Alzheimer’s risk through PET scans, blood tests and genetic testing. Experts urge concerned individuals to seek a research center where experts can clinically assess their risk and symptoms.
Our fact-check sources:
- TinEye Reverse Image Search, accessed Sept. 29
- Rudolph Tanzi, Sept. 28, email correspondence with Paste BN
- Dr. Stephen Salloway, Sept. 29, interview with Paste BN
- Brown University, accessed Sept. 29, Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research
- Reuters, Feb. 5, Fact check: No evidence linking ‘spot the camel’ and Alzheimer’s risk
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Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.