Unlocking the Secrets of Dementia Risk with One Million Brain Scans
The risk of dementia is being predicted by analysing more than 1.6 million brain imaging from Scottish patients. Researchers are employing artificial intelligence (AI) to detect patterns in the scans that are linked to dementia. The project's objective is to create tools for early detection and potentially novel treatments for dementia.
A team of 20 researchers from the prestigious institutions of Edinburgh and Dundee has been granted unprecedented access to this vast repository of anonymous scans, which spans a decade of data collection.
For the first time in the United Kingdom, scientists will employ artificial intelligence (AI) to examine these scans for prospective patterns or indicators of dementia. This neurodegenerative condition is characterised by the accumulation of a variety of proteins in the brain, which leads to cognitive deterioration and damage to brain tissue. It is remarkable that molecular and cellular transformations in the brain frequently occur years prior to the appearance of any symptoms.
The researchers intend to develop tools that will assist radiologists in the early detection of dementia by meticulously examining this extensive array of brain imaging. The team has been granted permission by NHS Scotland to analyse 1.6 million CT and MRI images that were acquired during routine clinical care between 2008 and 2018. This represents a substantial improvement over previous studies that were restricted by the number of scans.
NHS Scotland's Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care, which is responsible for ensuring that the research is in accordance with public interest and privacy standards, approved the decision to examine such a large volume of scans. Researchers will operate in the shadows regarding the individuals responsible for the scans they examine, as all scans will be anonymised to protect patient confidentiality.
Willy Gilder, a former journalist who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's three years ago, emphasised the significance of early risk awareness, stating, "If you know you’re at risk, you can make changes that are going to improve your brain health." Gilder's proactive approach emphasises the importance of early diagnosis in potentially slowing the progression of the disease.
The audacious research initiative, Scan-Dan (Scottish AI in Neuroimaging to predict Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease), is a component of the global research collaboration NEURii. The project's potential was emphasised by Professor Emanuele Trucco, an AI and medical imaging expert at Dundee University, who expressed optimism. He also emphasised the UK and Scotland's leadership in clinical data research.
Although the team's precise findings are still uncertain, the vast volume of brain scans instills confidence in their capacity to identify dementia-related patterns. Professor Trucco reiterated, "So if we see your brain, even if we are not entirely sure what we are seeing in the first instance, I can still predict whether you are at risk."
The team expects to acquire a more profound understanding of the technology's capabilities by the beginning of the next year, and the development of a practical application is anticipated to occur over the next few years. Prof. Will Whiteley, co-leader of the research at Edinburgh University's centre for clinical brain sciences, underscored the potential of gathering data from high-risk individuals to facilitate the development of innovative treatments.
The team has meticulously traversed a rigorous process with Public Health Scotland to uphold confidentiality and legal requisites in order to navigate the complexities of ethically utilising these images. With the advancement of research, the potential for the development of innovative dementia remedies is becoming increasingly apparent, providing optimism for a future in which interventions are more effective and accessible.
Over 1.6 million brain scans from Scottish patients are being analysed to predict dementia risk.
Researchers are using AI to identify patterns associated with dementia in the scans.
The project aims to develop tools for early detection and potentially new treatments for dementia.
Source: BBC