Artificial intelligence can detect measurable changes in the voice that allow doctors, together with other symptoms, to make an earlier diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, according to Carl Magnus Olsson, a docent in digital health. According to SVT Skåne, Olsson described Parkinson's as a very complex disease where it is difficult to objectively determine what affects different people. Meanwhile, researchers say a simple blood test could identify people at higher risk of dementia years before any symptoms appear, though it remains unknown how accurate and widely available this test will become in practice.
Dr David Vauzour, lead researcher from UEA's Norwich Medical School, emphasized the urgency of early detection. A model based on six chemicals was able to classify participants into three groups—healthy, Subjective Cognitive Impairment, and Mild Cognitive Impairment—with 79% accuracy, according to researchers. Behavioral changes in older adults, such as depression, irritability, or apathy, can occur long before a dementia diagnosis, multiple reports indicate.
AI can detect measurable changes in the voice that allow the doctor, together with other symptoms, to make an earlier diagnosis.
Anna Marseglia, an assistant professor at Karolinska Institutet, noted that neuropsychiatric symptoms can occur early and are not just something that arises with established dementia. Changes in sleep behavior can occur years before an Alzheimer's diagnosis, with disrupted deep sleep being a possible early sign, according to researchers. An inability to remember dreams could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease, Aftonbladet reports.
A study conclusion from Queen Sofia Foundation and CIEN stated that poor dream recall in later life may be an indicator of early neurodegeneration and increased risk of cognitive decline if other factors affecting dream recall can be excluded. A quick and minimally invasive nasal swab could transform how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, potentially identifying the condition years before symptoms begin, according to scientists. It is unknown if this nasal swab method will be validated in larger studies and approved for medical use.
Parkinson is a very complex disease and therefore it is difficult to objectively determine what affects different people.
Professor Bradley Goldstein, a study author from Duke University School of Medicine, explained that researchers want to confirm Alzheimer's very early, before damage has a chance to build up in the brain. The protein FLT1 may be a key factor in brain aging, with higher levels in older mice linked to fewer brain connections and cognitive impairments, scientists report. Dr Saul Villeda, senior author of the study, highlighted the potential impact of this research.
Whether treatments targeting FLT1 protein or sleep improvements can effectively delay dementia in humans remains an open question.
Early detection is critical because by the time symptoms appear, much of the brain damage has already happened.
We want to be able to confirm Alzheimer’s very early, before damage has a chance to build up in the brain.