Pioneering Brighton trial uses AI to speed Alzheimer's diagnosis

Around 50 million people are thought to be living with Alzheimer's and dementia worldwide. With 21 September marking World Alzheimer's Day, Dr 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, Dr 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.

Dr Naji Tabet

"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 Dr 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.