Machine learning can detect a genetic disorder from speech recordings - ScienceBlog.com

How much information can we extract from a five-minute recording of someone talking? Enough to tell whether that individual may be genetically predisposed to some health complications, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Waisman Center and Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. In a new study published this month in Scientific Reports, the researchers used machine learning to analyze hundreds of voice recordings and accurately identify individuals with a genetic condition known as fragile X premutation, which increases the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders, infertility or having a child with fragile X syndrome. While fragile X syndrome -- characterized by intellectual disability and behavioral, physical and learning challenges -- is relatively rare, millions of people across the world have fragile X premutations. "But the premutations remain underdiagnosed, and people are often unaware of their increased health risks," says Marsha Mailick, professor of social work and UW –Madison vice chancellor for research and graduate education.