Five minute AI test could diagnose Alzheimer’s up to 15 years early

"The NHS has introduced a revolutionary new app to help diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease.

It takes only five minutes to complete and is more accurate than established pen-and-paper tests.

The test is currently done on iPads at a general practice or hospital ward but it could soon be conducted at home on a smart phone – paving the way for the nation’s first widespread screening programme for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia within the next few years.

It is hoped it will identify people at high-risk of developing the disease up to 15 years before symptoms appear, so that steps can be taken to slow its progression.

The test uses artificial intelligence to assess a person’s brain function by showing them large numbers of black and white photographs and asking them to identify which ones contain an animal.

The images appear for a split second – some obviously show an animal, while in other cases its presence is less obvious or there is no creature there at all.

Animals are used because they illicit strong reactions in people giving a greater insight into brain activity..." Lire la suite