
A new mobile game, called Sea Hero Quest, is out now on iOS and Android to help neuroscientists develop a test for dementia.

Dementia is a group of symptoms, including memory loss and a reduction on navigational skills, stemming from a range of diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

The game involves setting sail in your father's boat, in search of his lost memories. Pictured here is the game's welcome screen.

The journey takes players to different locations around the world and aims to gain insight into people's navigation abilities worldwide.

As players progress through the game, scientists will use the data they generate to gain insight into their spatial navigation abilities. The data is gathered using heat maps, pictured.

Scientists wants 100,000 people to play Sea Hero Quest by the end of 2016. The data will reveal the normal range of navigation skills among people in general, for neuroscientists to then identify when someone's sense of direction is unusual. Pictured here is one of the figures players will meet inside the game.

In 2015, more than 46 million people were living with dementia worldwide, according to the World Alzheimer Report 2015. Despite the high numbers affected, an accurate test for dementia remains unavailable.




