by Researchers have found that dedicated memory tests on smartphones can accurately detect mild cognitive impairment, which may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Collaborating with DZNE, the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Magdeburg-based company Neotiv reported these findings in npj Digital Medicine. Based on data from 199 older adults, the study highlights the potential of mobile apps for Alzheimer’s disease research, clinical trials, and routine medical care. The evaluated app is already being provided to medical professionals to aid in early memory problem detection.
Memory problems are a primary symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, significantly impacting its diagnosis and research. In traditional clinical settings, memory assessments rely on supervised tasks completed in writing or conversation, such as recalling words, naming items on a specific topic, or drawing shapes according to instructions. These tests require professional supervision, limiting their completion to clinical environments.
Prof. Emrah Düzel, a senior neuroscientist at DZNE’s Magdeburg site and the University of Magdeburg, as well as a medical technology entrepreneur, proposes a new approach. Conducting these tests independently allows individuals to visit the doctor solely for result evaluation, similar to long-term ECG monitoring. Unsupervised testing could facilitate the early identification of clinically significant memory impairments and enable closer monitoring of disease progression, especially beneficial with advancements in Alzheimer’s therapy and treatments emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
