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AI Helps Doctors Diagnose Dementia Faster and Better

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Credit: Pixabay, Mohamed Hassan

Scientists have developed a new AI model that can help doctors better diagnose different types of dementia. Dementia is a condition where a person’s brain doesn’t work properly, causing memory loss and confusion. There are different types of dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Each type has different causes and symptoms, so it’s important to know which one a person has to treat it properly.

This new AI model uses brain scans and other medical information from patients to make its predictions. The scientists trained the AI using data from many patients who already had different types of dementia. They included information like MRI scans, PET scans, and clinical test results. The AI learned to recognize patterns in this data that are linked to each type of dementia.

When tested, the AI was very good at predicting which type of dementia a patient had. It could even identify cases where a person had more than one type of dementia. This is important because it helps doctors understand all the different problems affecting a patient’s brain. The AI’s predictions matched well with the results from traditional tests and checks done by doctors.

The researchers believe this AI tool can help doctors make faster and more accurate diagnoses. This means patients can get the right treatment sooner, which can improve their quality of life. The AI can also help in places where there aren’t enough specialists, making it easier for more people to get the care they need.

Nature, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03118-z