An online test is helping Canadian researchers find people who have an uncommon disorder that leaves them hopelessly lost.

University of Calgary neuroscientist Guiseppe Iaria wants to figure out what causes developmental topographical disorientation or DTD, a brain disorder that leaves people with almost no ability to figure out where they are, even in their own neighbourhood.

'Even if it's a very familiar environment, unless they follow exactly the same pattern as soon as they deviate even a few steps from it, they're lost.'—Guiseppe Iaria

The online test uses virtual environments to assess the test taker's ability to remember directions from landmark, memorize the number of left and right turns, and create mental maps of their environment.

Iaria said anyone can take the 90-minute test to find out if they have the disorder, or simply to have their orientation skills assessed. Participants will receive feedback on their performance.

Since Iaira and his colleague Jason Barton, from the University of British Columbia, first pinpointed the disorder a year ago, they have documented more than 400 cases.

The brain creates a map of familiar areas that allows most people to reorient themselves as they move around, said Iaria. For instance, most people can figure out how to get back on track if the road to the office is blocked by construction.

No mental map

People with DTD have no ability to create that mental map, he said.

"Even if it's a very familiar environment, unless they follow exactly the same pattern as soon as they deviate even a few steps from it, they're lost. Because they're not able to imagine themselves walking from one place to another."

He said these people are often dismissed and told to just pay better attention.

Sharon Roseman has dealt with DTD since childhood. She says if she isn't fully awake, her brain kind of turns everything 90 degrees.

"When my kids were little and they would cry out in the night, I would bolt out of bed. But it wasn't the right direction. It was the wall."

Roseman said until this research, she often felt alone and mentally unsound.

Iaria eventually wants to find out exactly what part of the brain isn't developing in childhood and how people can be rehabilitated.