Scientists to Harness AI in Analyzing Brain Scans to Develop Dementia Risk Prediction Tool

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A team of scientists and researchers is embarking on a groundbreaking project to analyze hundreds of thousands of brain scans with the aim of developing a software tool capable of predicting an individual’s risk of dementia. This initiative, led by a group of 20 experts from the universities of Edinburgh and Dundee, will utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to scrutinize data from CT and MRI scans, combined with information from health records, to identify patterns indicative of the likelihood of developing dementia. 

The ultimate goal is to create a digital tool that radiologists can integrate into routine scans to assess dementia risk and diagnose early stages of related diseases more effectively. By isolating a high-risk patient group, the researchers believe they can pave the way for more precise treatments targeting various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. 

The research team, part of the global collaboration NEURii, which was launched a year ago, anticipates analyzing up to 1.6 million images during the project. The data, approved for use by the Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care, will be securely stored in the Scottish National Safe Haven, a platform commissioned by Public Health Scotland for NHS electronic data research. 

Professor Will Whiteley of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, co-leading the project, emphasized the potential impact of the research, stating, “Better use of simple brain scans to predict dementia will lead to a better understanding of the disease and potentially earlier diagnosis of its causes, which in turn will facilitate the development of new treatments.” 

Professor Emanuele Trucco, an AI and medical imaging expert at the University of Dundee, added, “This new dataset will be of immense value to neurological researchers. If successful, we will have a suite of software tools integrated into routine radiology operations to assist in clinical decision-making and flag dementia risk as early as possible.” 

The project has been welcomed by those affected by dementia, including 71-year-old former journalist Willy Gilder, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago. Gilder highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and prevention, noting, “If you know you’re at risk, you can make changes to improve your brain health. This project is extremely important for predicting a person’s risk and potentially offering new treatments at early stages.” 

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