This AI tool may outperform clinical tests at detecting Alzheimer's

Scientists at the Cambridge University in the UK have developed an artificial intelligence AIbased tool that can help detect patients with early dementia whether they will remain stable or develop AlzheimersDementia is a global healthcare challenge affecting over 55 million people at an estimated annual cost of 820 billionThe cases are expected to almost triple over the next 50 yearsTo develop the new AI model the researchers used routinely gathered noninvasive and lowcost patient data cognitive tests and structural MRI scans revealing grey matter shrinkage from over 400 participants in a research cohort in the USThey next evaluated the model with realworld patient data from an additional 600 participants in the US cohort as well as longitudinal data from 900 persons in memory clinics in the United Kingdom and SingaporeThe algorithm was able to identify between persons with stable mild cognitive impairment and those who developed Alzheimers disease within three years according to the story published in the journal EClinicalMedicineIt successfully identified those who developed Alzheimers in 82 per cent of cases and those who did not in 81 per cent of cases using only cognitive tests and an MRI scan which provides hope that this model may well be accurateProfessor Zoe Kourtzi from the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge said this tool would be good at predicting whether or not someone will progress to Alzheimerrsquos and that since it has been tested in real life too generalisations can be madeBen Underwood from the University of Cambridge said this would help alleviate many existing concerns for the patients and their familiesEarlier we also publishedObesity smoking key triggers for Alzheimers Disease say expertsObesity and smoking are key triggers for Alzheimers Disease said health experts on Monday stressing the need to control both especially in young adultsThe experts explained that obesity and smoking are the major risk factors for vascular dementia and can trigger Alzheimers owing to the inflammation caused due to smokingldquoSmoking damages blood vessels reducing blood flow to the brain which can harm brain cells Obesity is linked to inflammation and insulin resistance both detrimental to brain healthrdquo Dr Vikas Mittal pulmonologist at the CK Birla Hospital Delhi saidAlia Bhatt I avoid giving parenting advice as everyonersquos journey is differentCurbing the major risk factors are important as a recent study published in the journal The Lancet showed that global dementia cases are set to triple with 153 million living with dementia by 2050Alzheimers the most common cause of dementia accounting for 60 to 80 per cent of cases is also expected to soarldquoObesity also causes conditions like diabetes and cardiac disease which are known risk factors for Alzheimerrsquos The presence of these conditions worsens brain health while promoting inflammation oxidative stress and vascular damage which leads to memory decline and increase in Alzheimerrsquos Diseaserdquo Dr Anurag Saxena HOD and Cluster Head Neurosurgery Manipal Hospital Dwarka saidAdditionally obesity impairs metabolic functions and insulin signalling which increases the risk of neurodegenerationOn the other hand ldquosmoking worsens oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain which increases the development of AlzheimerrsquosldquoThe harmful chemicals in cigarettes like nicotine and tar damage blood vessels and interfere with blood flow Smoking can not only accelerate Alzheimerrsquos Disease but also other forms of dementiardquo Dr Anurag saidMoreover people with a family history of Alzheimerrsquos are more prone to the condition if they smokeThe combination and genetic factors and the effects of smoking increases the progress of Alzheimerrsquos symptoms the doctor notedDr Shailesh Rohatgi HOD Department of Neurology DPU Super Speciality Hospital at Pune said that he advised maintaining a balanced lifestyle and eating habits and keeping a constant check as vascular dementia can even develop at an early age due to various lifestyle habitsHe also stressed on ldquodaily activities which are not just limited to physical movement but also engaging the brain It is important to engage your brain in mental activities like board gamesrdquoAlso read Mental health experts share effective programs to foster inclusivity for LGBTQ students in school