U.S. Capital

Study Finds AI Can Detect Alzheimer’s a Decade Before Symptoms Appear

Feb 15, 2018

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) February 15, 2018 – Scientists have developed artificial intelligence (AI) that can be trained to identify the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease nearly 10 years before symptoms begin to emerge.

A research team from the University of Bari in Italy developed an algorithm that can detect structural changes linked to the disease in different areas of the brain. They trained an AI using 67 MRI scans from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Of those, 38 were from Alzheimer’s patients while 29 belonged to healthy individuals.

“Machine learning has shown promise for Alzheimer’s diagnosis,” commented nationally known estate planning attorney Michael Gilfix of Gilfix & La Poll Associates. “Early detection is crucial when it comes to the disease. With an earlier diagnosis, people can seek treatment sooner, while having more time to prepare for the future by getting their legal and financial affairs in order.”

The researchers trained the AI to analyze images and correctly identify the difference between diseased brains and healthy ones. They then tested the algorithm’s accuracy by having it process 148 brain scans that included healthy people, patients with Alzheimer’s and individuals with mild cognitive impairment that was known to eventually develop into full-fledged Alzheimer’s.

The AI was able to diagnose Alzheimer’s with an 86 percent accuracy rating. It could also correctly detect mild cognitive impairment 84 percent of the time. According to the researchers, the results showed that the algorithm has the potential to be an effective tool for early Alzheimer’s diagnosis before the disease’s clinical symptoms appear.

The team said they plan to continue developing the AI’s accuracy so that it is reliable enough to be used as a noninvasive early detection system for patients. Currently, the most effective way to diagnose Alzheimer’s early is through a costly, invasive procedure that is not accessible to everyone. There are also plans to study the algorithm’s uses for other neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

Gilfix & La Poll Associates LLP
2300 Geng Rd., Suite 200
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Telephone: (650) 493-8070
http://www.gilfix.com/

Facebook: Like Us!

  • One of Three Tax Seminars are Full
    We are excited about how many people have registered for our free Trump Tax Reform and Your Tax and Estate Planning Seminar. Please note that our Thursday, February 22, 2018 seminar at the Hotel Biltmore is full. We still have room at our Foster City seminar (February 22nd at 2:00PM) and Palo Alto Seminars (February […]
  • Gilfix & La Poll offers free estate planning seminars on Trump tax reform
    Uncertain about what the new tax law means for you and your family? Wondering how to proceed with your estate planning in light of President Trump’s tax reform? Gilfix and La Poll Associates is here to help. Attorneys Michael Gilfix and Mark R. Gilfix will be leading several free seminars during which they will discuss […]
  • Advising Clients About Hospitalization and Operations
    Recently, in the Trust and Estate Magazine, Myra Gilfix wrote a featured article titled “Advising Clients About Hospitalization and Operations.” In this article, Gilfix discusses how families can be advocates for themselves and for senior family members. In the article Gilfix stresses that a patient advocate is a crucial part of elder care. Elder law […]
  • Recognizing signs of elder abuse through a forensic lens
    Elder abuse in nursing homes can take many forms. While some signs of elder abuse such as physical injuries may be obvious, others may be harder to detect. Some elderly patients may be suffering verbal abuse or financial exploitation, which are harder to recognize. Advocates for elder safety have long been looking for new ways […]
  • Experts warn of skyrocketing Alzheimer’s costs for caregivers
    A recent PBS documentary about Alzheimer’s highlights the growing costs linked to caring for individuals diagnosed with the progressive disease. With millions of aging baby boomers at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, experts in the film warn that a financial “tidal wave” is looming over the country. “Alzheimer’s: Every Minute Counts” chronicles the struggles of […]