In our Optimist View yesterday, we discussed how one woman can smell out Alzheimer’s even years before diagnosis. Now, thanks to an AI algorithm, there is yet another way to diagnose the disease even earlier. 

The algorithm uses a combination of factors including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans, age, gender, and scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), which is a common way to measure cognitive impairment. It successfully creates an intuitive visualization of Alzheimer’s risk. 

The researchers from Boston University School of Medicine established the algorithm using a large national cohort and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and then validated their findings using data from three other important cohorts, including the Framingham Heart Study.

Once finalized, the researchers compared predicted cases made by AI to predictions made by leading neurologists. Interestingly, the AI was slightly more successful in predicting Alzheimer’s than medical professionals. 

When combined with other innovative diagnosis tools, AI creates an even more effective method for rooting out the disease earlier and creating the potential for early intervention. Additionally, the algorithm’s use of common procedures such as MRIs in diagnosis will make the process affordable and widely available. 

Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the US. Creating innovative new systems to diagnose and treat the disease more efficiently is a great solution for saving lives and improving the quality of life for millions of people.