The tool could enable people at risk of developing Alzheimer's to make lifestyle changes or start new drug treatments earlier, when they would be most effective.
A new AI tool can predict whether people with mild memory or mental agility problems are likely to develop Alzheimer's disease in the future, without the need for invasive or expensive diagnostic tests.
The tool could enable at-risk people to make lifestyle changes or start new drug treatments earlier, when they would be most effective.
It would also prevent inappropriate treatment of people with cognitive problems that may be caused by other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge used artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze cognitive tests and MRI brain scans of 1,500 patients from the UK, US and Singapore.
The test was able to distinguish between people who remained stable with mild intellectual disability and those who went on to develop progressive Alzheimer's disease over the next three years.
A study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine found that the tool had a predictive accuracy of over 80%, three times better than existing clinical methods for identifying patients who are likely to develop the disease.
Professor Zoe Kurzi, lead author of the study, said: AI Tools It can also predict whether a patient's condition will worsen slowly or rapidly.
“This could significantly improve patient health outcomes by identifying which patients need the most careful care and removing anxiety for those who are predicted to remain in a stable condition,” she said.
If we could accurately identify patients who are likely to develop Alzheimer's disease using only routine clinical data and MRI brain scans, National Health Service.
Currently, an accurate diagnosis requires either an expensive PET brain scanner or a sample of spinal fluid taken by specially trained staff – both of which the NHS lacks.
Lack of resources can hinder access to new medicines that can slow the progression of symptoms, but only if patients are diagnosed at an early stage of the disease.
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Dr Ben Underwood, honorary consultant psychiatrist at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, said he frequently sees patients with memory problems.
“In clinical practice, we see that the uncertainty of whether this is the first sign of dementia can cause great anxiety for patients and their families, as well as frustrate doctors who prefer to give definitive answers,” he said.
“The fact that information we already have can potentially reduce this uncertainty is encouraging and is likely to become even more important as new treatments emerge.”
Alison Gilderdale began suffering from recurring episodes and memory problems 10 years ago, but it took six years for the symptoms to become apparent and for doctors to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
An earlier diagnosis would have helped her realise what was happening.
“I thought I was OK, but everyone around me was like, 'She's crazy,'” she said.
“I get a lot of help now. Even things like getting dressed were difficult.”