A New Digital Breakthrough for Early Dementia Detection

A New Digital Breakthrough for Early Dementia Detection

    Alzheimer's disease is a process in which the appearance of buildup proteins in the form of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles occurs in the brain. This causes the brain cells to die and shrink over time. This disease is a common cause of dementia [2]. This disease has been hard for doctors in primary care to detect in its early stages, so researchers have been developing artificial intelligence to detect it early with no extra cost or time.

    The researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine, the Regenstrief Institute, Eskenazi Health, the University of Miami, and Lamar University used a digital method to test older patients in which each patient automatically received a 10-question survey called the Quick Dementia Rating System through the patient portal. At the same time, an AI tool scanned patients' electronic health records in the background for early signs of dementia [1]. It scans for clues linked to dementia, such as memory concerns or vascular issues. This program runs silently in the background of the health system, and doctors only get alerted when something looks concerning.

    This system was tested in over 5,000 patients. The results show that the AI survey approach increased new dementia diagnoses by 31% within one year without additional work for doctors. The survey also helped raise up follow-up tests, such as brain scans and cognitive assessments, by 41%. This new digital survey is giving patients access to help much sooner than before [1]. 

    I think this approach is a step forward in dementia detection because of how much faster it detects, as well as making it easier for primary care doctors. Since the AI tool is free and works in the background, it helps clinics use it without extra time or resources. Seeing AI used this way shows how it can be used to improve patient care. I think this is a great use of AI and how this early detection can happen quickly and quietly, giving the patients a better chance to get help before the disease worsens. 

Resources

[1]S. Ktori, “New AI Tool Boosts Early Detection of Dementia in Primary Care,” GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, Nov. 10, 2025. https://www.genengnews.com/topics/artificial-intelligence/new-ai-tool-boosts-early-detection-of-dementia-in-primary-care/ (accessed Nov. 13, 2025).

[2]Mayo Clinic, “Alzheimer’s disease,” Mayo Clinic, Nov. 08, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447

[3]M. A. Boustani et al., “Digital Detection of Dementia in Primary Care,” JAMA Network Open, vol. 8, no. 11, pp. e2542222–e2542222, Nov. 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.42222.