• Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
  • Accessibility options
University of Brighton
  • About us
  • Business and
    employers
  • Alumni and
    supporters
  • For
    students
  • For
    staff
  • Accessibility
    options
Open menu
Home
Home
  • Close
  • Study here
    • Get to know us
    • Why choose Brighton?
    • Explore our prospectus
    • Ask us a question
    • Meet us
    • Open days and visits
    • Virtual tours
    • Applicant days
    • Meet us in your country
    • Campuses
    • Our campuses
    • Our city
    • Accommodation options
    • Our halls
    • Helping you find a home
    • What you can study
    • Find a course
    • Full A-Z course list
    • Explore our subjects
    • Our academic departments
    • How to apply
    • Undergraduate application process
    • Postgraduate application process
    • International student application process
    • Apprenticeships
    • Transfer from another university
    • International students
    • Clearing
    • Funding your time at uni
    • Fees and financial support
    • What's included in your fees
    • Brighton Boost – extra financial help
    • Advice and guidance
    • Advice for students
    • Guide for offer holders
    • Advice for parents and carers
    • Advice for schools and colleges
    • Supporting you
    • Your academic experience
    • Your wellbeing
    • Your career and employability
  • Research
    • Research and knowledge exchange
    • Research and knowledge exchange organisation
    • The Global Challenges
    • Centres of Research Excellence (COREs)
    • Research Excellence Groups (REGs)
    • Our research database
    • Information for business
    • Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP)
    • Postgraduate research degrees
    • PhD research disciplines and programmes
    • PhD funding opportunities and studentships
    • How to apply for your PhD
    • Research environment
    • Investing in research careers
    • Strategic plan
    • Research concordat
    • News, events, publications and films
    • Featured research and knowledge exchange projects
    • Research and knowledge exchange news
    • Inaugural lectures
    • Research and knowledge exchange publications and films
    • Academic staff search
  • About us
  • Business and employers
  • Alumni, supporters and giving
  • Current students
  • Staff
  • Accessibility
Search our site
Aerial view of the Moulsecoomb campus
About us
  • Your university
  • Governance and structure
  • Working with us
  • Statistics and legal
  • News and events
  • Contact us
  • News and events
    • News and events
    • News
    • Events
    • Coronavirus
    • Livestream
    • Open lectures
    • Term dates
  • News
    • News
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013

Pioneering Brighton trial uses AI to speed Alzheimer's diagnosis

Professor Naji Tabet from Brighton & Sussex Medical School is leading a three-month study that may lead to vital early treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

21 September 2021

Around 50 million people are thought to be living with Alzheimer's and dementia worldwide. With 21 September marking World Alzheimer's Day, Professor Tabet's timely study uses an AI-backed technology platform called Cognetivity to provide patients with cognitive tests much more quickly and easily, while also providing doctors with rapid analysis of the results.

The Cognetivity platform crucially allows patients to take tests in their own time at home to pick up early signs of dementia. By making diagnosis simpler and quicker, it can enable patients to access vital treatment earlier than ever before. The first entrant to the market that draws on AI to conduct rapid cognitive analysis, the platform is currently on trial screening patients at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Speaking to the medical journal NR Times, Professor Tabet - director at the Centre for Dementia Studies at Brighton & Sussex Medical School – said: "Dementia diagnosis is very labour intensive. There is a need for a brain scan, blood test, maybe ECG, completion of cognitive assessment by a specialist nurse, psychologist, or occupational therapist. This assessment can take several hours, which can often be too much for a patient in one day, so they need another appointment.

Professor Naji Tabet

Professor Naji Tabet

World Alzheimer's Day logo

"Through the use of this platform and technology, the cognitive testing process is simplified. By being able to diagnose people earlier, it opens the door to earlier treatment. Once referred to secondary care, it can determine which patients are seen first.”

Using AI-supported digital cognitive assessments such as Cognetivity may also reduce bias in relation to language, culture or education, as Professor Tabet explained: “With some tests, the more educated you are, the better you do. Another advantage is that the cognitive tasks cannot be learnt. Inevitably for patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, there is a tendency to remember the answer to some of the questions when you take the test repeatedly.”

The University of Brighton also collaborated with BSMS to create the innovative and highly-praised Time For Dementia programme, now embedded in the curriculum at several other universities. This connects pre-registration nursing and physiotherapy students with local families where someone is living with dementia, allowing students to gain invaluable experience in communication and understanding of the condition before they encounter someone with dementia in an emergency or clinical setting.

Back to top
  • Facebook
  • X logo
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn icon

Contact us

University of Brighton
Mithras House
Lewes Road
Brighton
BN2 4AT

Main switchboard 01273 600900

Course enquiries

Sign up for updates

University contacts

Report a problem with this page

Quick links Quick links

  • Courses
  • Open days
  • Explore our prospectus
  • Academic departments
  • Academic staff
  • Professional services departments
  • Jobs
  • Privacy and cookie policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Libraries
  • Term dates
  • Maps
  • Graduation
  • Site information
  • Online shop
  • The Student Contract

Information for Information for

  • Current students
  • International students
  • Media/press
  • Careers advisers/teachers
  • Parents/carers
  • Business/employers
  • Alumni/supporters
  • Suppliers
  • Local residents