Dementia diagnosis could be fast-tracked using artificial intelligence

Scientists from the University of Surrey and the University of Newcastle have shown that it is possible to use electroencephalography (EEG) as a low-cost diagnostic tool to help clinicians identify different forms of dementia, including Lewy body, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's dementia. "Our study shows that using artificial intelligence analysis of EEG data as a diagnostic tool to identify dementia could be life-changing for many people. We have shown that by combining brain activity captured from patients with their eyes open and with their eyes closed, our machine learning algorithms can accurately detect different forms of dementia, including Lewy body dementia, which is often only found post-mortem. As a result, we believe that our method could allow people to be diagnosed and treated sooner. "The clear next step for our project is to gather support for a clinical trial for this incredibly promising technology."