2023-08-29 04:30:14
Researchers from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) are taking promising steps in the early detection of Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia that affects 35 million people worldwide. Through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analysis of brain magnetic resonance images, this team opens new doors towards early diagnosis and the development of more effective treatments.
“We are exploring new frontiers in the application of advanced AI methods in the field of neurological and mental health. Our approach is focused on the application of algorithms in fields as diverse as speech and natural language processing, image analysis and monitoring of biomarkers in patients”, explains Diego Fernández Slezak, a researcher at the Institute of Computing Sciences of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the UBA.
Detecting Alzheimer’s in its early stages would not only provide an opportunity to start appropriate treatments, but would also offer a window to better understand the progression of these diseases and design more effective therapies.
Unveil a complex world
One of the key areas of the work they do is the early detection and diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which is often a precursor to Alzheimer’s. “Our study focuses on decoding the complex world of brain magnetic resonance imaging to detect structural changes in the brain that may be related to the accumulation of disease-associated proteins,” says Fernández Slezak.
These images, made up of colored pixels or voxels, reflect brain activity in different areas of the organ. However, the manual interpretation of them is a challenge even for experts in the field. In addition, the detection of these proteins requires invasive and expensive techniques.
The UBA team works in collaboration with the Fleni hospital, which provides the magnetic resonance images necessary to train the AI. This multidisciplinary collaboration combines medical expertise with expertise in Artificial Intelligence and computer science.
“MRIs not only reveal the brain structure, but they are also a window into the inner workings of the organ, allowing the AI to discover patterns imperceptible to the human eye”, highlights the researcher.
smart algorithms
Traditional neuropsychological evaluation to detect MCI can be a long and expensive process. It requires the intervention of experts to analyze a variety of factors ranging from quality of life tests to language analysis and eye tracking.
In this direction, the UBA researcher points out: “Through the use of AI, we are working on the automation of these evaluations. Our algorithms can analyze patterns in speech, language, facial expression, and eye tracking to identify early signs of cognitive decline with amazing accuracy.” This not only streamlines the evaluation process, but also provides objective data that allows for faster and more accurate diagnosis.
“Our hypothesis is that AI algorithms can analyze MRI images and reveal subtle patterns that indicate the presence of these proteins. If this is achieved, it could revolutionize the way Alzheimer’s is diagnosed and treated in its early stage,” says Fernández Slezak.
The combination of Artificial Intelligence and imaging techniques promises to bring the early detection of Alzheimer’s and the diagnosis of MCI to a new level of accessibility. By automating neuropsychological testing and offering less invasive and costly alternatives to protein testing, it paves the way for more efficient medical care and early intervention.
Precise coding and the ability to detect complex relationships between data make AI an invaluable resource in the early detection of mental illness. According to the specialist, “Alzheimer’s is a very well-characterized disease that is under constant study. There are currently very good treatments to delay the effects that affect quality of life, so detecting it early is vital.”
a promising future
Alzheimer’s causes problems around memorization, thoughts and behavior. In general terms, its development is slow but progressive, until it makes it impossible to carry out daily tasks.
Although the research is in the early stages, the advances made by the UBA team of scientists are encouraging, not only in the fight against Alzheimer’s, but also in the broader field of neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence. The ability to identify mental disorders at their earliest stages could revolutionize treatment and quality of life for patients.
“We are building databases and training AI models to better understand the signals that indicate cognitive decline and protein accumulation. As we advance in our research, we hope to significantly contribute to the advancement in the detection and treatment of cognitive diseases”, highlights Fernández Slezak.
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