Soon Artificial Intelligence Can Diagnose Dementia, Here's How It Works

Illustration (Unsplash/Rad Cyrus)

JAKARTA - Scientists are currently testing an artificial intelligence system or AI that is considered capable of diagnosing dementia, a disease of memory loss. How does it work?

This system may be able to predict whether the condition of people with dementia will remain stable for years, slowly worsen or require urgent treatment. However, at this time, some further testing is needed.

The researchers involved say with their system the results of early diagnosis of patients will be further improved. "If we intervene early, treatment can be started earlier and slow the progression of the disease and at the same time avoid more damage," said Zoe Kourtzi, professor from Cambridge University, UK.

The way the program system developed by Kourtzi works is by comparing the brain scans of those who are worried about having dementia with thousands of dementia patients and relevant medical records. From that dataset, then the algorithm works.

Illustration (Unsplash/Alexander Sinn)

Clinical memory

In pre-clinical tests, the system has been able to diagnose dementia years before symptoms begin to develop. Even when there are no obvious signs of damage on brain scans, the system is said to be able to detect it.

The trial, at Addenbrooke Hospital and other memory clinics across the country, will test whether it works in a clinical setting, alongside conventional means of diagnosing dementia. And in the first year of the trial, about 500 patients will participate.

The results of the diagnosis will be followed up by the doctor. And if necessary, will receive immediate treatment.

Consultant neurologist Doctor Tim Rittman, who led the research, called the artificial intelligence system a cutting-edge development. "This disease really destroys people."

"So when I pass this information on to patients, I can be more confident about the diagnosis. So that can give them more information regarding the possible progression of their disease," said Rittman.

Illustration (Unsplash/Steven hwg)

Difficult to diagnose

Dementia is one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose. Because in some cases, to detect this disease, multiple assessments are needed. And this costs a lot of money.

One of the sufferers of this disease, Denis Clark (75) for example. According to his wife, Penelope, said her husband had difficulty describing his symptoms.

Penelope began to notice Denis had trouble remembering the past year. When signs of dementia appeared, the couple then worried about having to sell their home to fund Denis's treatment.

With the development of this AI system, Penelope felt a little relieved. Because they don't have to wait long for a diagnosis and can get an idea of how dementia might develop.

"We can then plan our finances. We'll see if as a couple we can take a few vacations before things get so bad that I can't take Denis on vacation," Penelope told the BBC.

*Read other information about TECHNOLOGY or other interesting articles from Ramdan Febrian Arifin.

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