From March 11 to 17 in 2024, the global Brain Awareness Week campaign will bring attention to “The Changing Brain”, diving into the complexities of aging and impact on cognitive health. Central to this theme are conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, where cognitive decline often results in the loss of independence and a need for constant care. Against this backdrop, artificial intelligence (AI) imaging tools and new in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests have the potential to make dementia and Alzheimer’s screening more accessible and efficient, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Ashley Clarke, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The current dementia diagnosis heavily relies on tests that assess cognitive function and track cognitive decline. These methods, though effective, are resource-intensive and in most cases mean that significant irreversible brain damage has already occurred. These tests are used alongside brain scans to inform physicians about the type and severity of the patient’s condition, but for patients with dementia or other cognitive disorders, an MRI or PET scan can be a scary experience. So, if it is possible to use simpler tests to help detect and track their condition, it would be better for them.”

According to the WHO, nearly 10 million new dementia cases emerge annually, with over 55 million people currently living with dementia globally, and 60% of which are in middle- and low-income countries. Shockingly, Alzheimer’s Disease International suggests up to three-quarters of individuals with dementia lack a formal diagnosis, highlighting a critical treatment gap, especially in low-income countries. In response, medical innovation is crucial.

With the integration of AI in imaging collection and analysis software, subtle microstructural changes in the brain can be detected and monitored, enabling physicians to assess a patient’s condition more efficiently.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Pipeline Products Database indicates a pivot towards increased development of in vitro diagnostic devices. These tests measure biomarkers in blood or cerebrospinal fluid associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s, and could enable simple, high-throughput screening for these conditions.

Clarke concludes: “Though IVD liquid biopsy tests do not offer the same dimensional details of a brain scan, they could be used in conjunction with or preceding existing diagnostic techniques to help make testing more accessible and less expensive, especially for patients in lower-income or rural areas. While most AI devices are in clinical trials, IVD pipeline products are still in early development stages. Nonetheless, as these technologies mature, they have potential to revolutionize dementia diagnosis, offering hope for earlier interventions and bridging the treatment gap for millions worldwide.”