Diagnosing problems with the brain, from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s, often involves various forms of brain scans, like an MRI. But what about when the disease itself isn’t there yet but there are early warning signs? Just like changes to the blood vessels may indicate you’re at risk of a stroke or prediabetes may show before diabetes proper, subtle alterations in the structure of the brain may appear years in advance. Now, we may finally be able to see them (https://longevity.technology/news/fda-clears-ai-tool-for-early-alzheimers-detection-from-mri-scans/).
The potential of machine learning and AI to improve analysis of MRI scans has become a major area of scientific interest in recent years. The computer may be able to detect the smallest anomalies and patterns that are completely indistinguishable to the naked eye. That’s what underpins the AIRAscore brain volumetry software from AIRAmed, a medtech company from Germany. This software has just received FDA 510 (l) approval.
All AIRAscore needs is a standard MRI scan. It then reviews volumetry, or the size of the brain as measured in 3D. This can be turned into both a narrative description and a pictogram to clearly represent and explain the gathered data. Part of this is identifying the specific patterns of volume loss associated with Alzheimer’s, different types of dementia, or Parkinson’s, all of which have their own distinct impact on the brain.
It can do this because AIRAscore doesn’t just look at the brain as a whole. It can break it down into the different areas and types of tissue, like the grey matter, white matter, T1 hypointensities and cerebrospinal fluid. It can calculate the relative sizes and shapes of parts including the cerebellum hippocampus, midbrain, lobes, pons and ventricular systems. Then it compares all of this data to that of others in the same demographic, seeing whether your brain is consistent with those of people of the same age, sex and head size. Finally, it comes up with a report a bit like you might see after you’ve had a wide-ranging blood test.
AIRAscore is already available in Europe and has been for four years, so there’s evidence of its effectiveness. It wouldn’t be launching in America otherwise. This advanced, AI-powered software may allow for ultra-early diagnosis with a precision and specificity not seen before. This quick and easy process will hopefully allow for more rapid interventions and better management of neurodegenerative diseases.
