Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) Spin – OFF company Gray Matter Solutions cooperates with Osler Group, a Premium Health and Wellness Organization in Singapore, to offer a new screening tool that detects mild cognitive disorders (MCI) – de Early phase for dementia – efficient and affordable with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
People in the early stages of dementia can experience mild memory falling or struggle with complex tasks and decision -making, but these symptoms are often subtle and disturb not significant daily life, making early detection very challenging.
Traditionally, the gold standard for diagnosing MCI Neuropsychological evaluations and imaging diagnostics such as magnetic resonance image formation (MRI), which can cost more than a thousand dollars and needs a few hours.
This new AI-driven screening tool called Recognaize, which was developed at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicin), on the other hand uses neuroscientific games to identify early signs of cognitive disorders in just 15 minutes.
The AI-driven tool consists of four specially designed games that cover clinically relevant cognitive and behavioral domains, developed from more than 125,000 hours of research in the Dementia Research Center of LKCMedicine (Singapore).
Previous clinical studies showed that Recognaize can achieve nearly 90 percent accuracy when detecting MCI.
These games, which assess different brain functions, are powered by their own algorithm. The screening tool is expected to have global relevance, in particular in Asia, where an estimated 250 million people with chronic vascular diseases such as hypertension, generally known as high blood pressure, run the risk of developing MCI.
Currently around the world, 10 to 15 percent of MCI patients continues to dementia every year, which underlines the need for early detection and intervention.
Recognaize was developed by Association Lecturer Nagaendran Kandiah, director of the Dementia Research Center (Singapore), and his team at LKCMedicine, after three years of research and development.
Our AI-driven screening tool offers a scalable and cost-effective way to detect MCI, making timely medical interventions possible that can significantly improve the quality of life. In developed countries such as Singapore, where an aging population is confronted with growing dementia risks, such aids are crucial for early diagnosis and personalized care. “
Assistantial teacher Nagaendran Kandiah, director of the Dementia Research Center (Singapore)
The technology now has a license for Solutions by Gray Matter, who is Profile Kandiah co-founder with his researcher and NTU-Alumnus Mr Mohammed Adnan Azam.
Supported by the NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, the spin-off focused on transforming dementia care with its AI-driven solutions.
In a new partnership with Osler Group, the tablet-based games will be free for patients at Osler Health Clinics in the coming three months, as part of their holistic health assessment.
Co-founder of Gray Matter Solutions Mohammed Adnan Azam said: “We are delighted to work with Osler Group who shares our goal to achieve personalized healthcare. We want to further improve our AI-drive screening tool that not only early detection and intervention of Mild cognitive disorders, but also help doctors follow the brain health of their patients and monitor the effectiveness of medical interventions.
Dr. Clarice Chia Woodworth, founder of Osler Group and Chief Strategy Officer of Osler Health said: “The integration of the AI-Ai screening tool of Gray Matter Solutions improves our dedication to personalized and holistic medical screening. Healthcare enables our patients to be advanced, evidence-based science they are paramount in personalized medicine. “
Dr. Fetong Tsin Uin, founder of Osler Group and Chief Medical Officer at Osler Health Comments, “As a health care company led by the future, we are pleased to take over new technologies in our medical practice. Future technological innovation will continue to transform healthcare and Oslerer Health is pleased to be part of that change “.
AI tool supported by clinical studies
In Singapore, an estimated 86,000 people with dementia from 2021 lived, a number of expected to more than 150,000 by 2030 because of the rapidly aging population. More than 55 million people worldwide are affected by dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases that are diagnosed annually, according to the World Health Organization.
Although Alzheimer’s disease is more common in the West, dementia in Asia is often powered by vascular changes in the brain, such as silent stroke.
As a result, early detection in Asian populations requires more measurement than just memory.
Clinical research conducted by LKCMedicin has shown how dementia manifests itself differently in Asian populations compared to Western countries.
While playing the four games, the research participants were asked to perform various tasks, ranging from matching instructions in which an airplane flies to remember and match a shopping list and paying bills with the right notes and coins.
Validated against biomarkers and neuroimaging for 230 participants of the Biomarkers and Cognition Study, Singapore (Biocis)The tool reached 89 percent accuracy when detecting MCI
This collaboration between NTU Spin-off gray dust solutions and Osler Group represents the first step in the direction of an effective and affordable method for early detection of dementia.
Professor Louis Phee, NTU Vice President (Innovation and Entrepreneurship), added: “This partnership between NTU Spin-Off Gray Matter Solutions and Osler Group is an example of the use of NTU Singapore to stimulate impactful innovation that provides tangible benefits for society. “
“By supporting disruptive technologies such as these AI-driven screening tool, we enable our scientists and startups to transform their ideas into market-ready products that tackle moving challenges, such as improving the results of healthcare in aging populations.
“During the development process, we will offer mentorship and guidance, from prototyping to the preparation of viable market strategies, while they are connected to investors and an ecosystem of like -minded innovators and thinkers.”
In the future, Gray Matter Solutions will also try to expand its range of products and services, such as catering for mass public screening at community events and for health organizations in Singapore and abroad too partner.
Source:
Journal Reference:
Leow, yj, et al .. (2024) Biomarkers and cognition study, Singapore (Biocis): Protocol, study design and provisional findings. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2024.89.