University of Missouri researchers have created a pioneering, affordable portable system that combines AI and motor function measurement to accurately detect mild cognitive impairment. This breakthrough has significant potential for early diagnosis and intervention in Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The early detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could be key to combating Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Recognizing this, researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an innovative, portable system designed to make early diagnosis more accessible and accurate.
The team’s breakthrough combines a depth camera, a force plate and an interface board to measure various aspects of motor function. This sophisticated yet affordable device aims to address the challenges of diagnosing MCI, particularly in rural areas where access to licensed neuropsychologists is limited.
“We know that if we can identify people early, we can provide early intervention to halt or slow the progression of the disease,” Jamie Hall, an associate teaching professor in the College of Health Sciences, said in a news release.
The Mizzou interdisciplinary team, including Trent Guess, an associate professor in the College of Health Sciences, and Praveen Rao, an associate professor in the College of Engineering, conducted a study that had older adults perform tasks such as standing still, walking and rising from a bench — all while counting backwards in intervals of seven.
The data collected were then analyzed using a machine learning model, yielding an 83% accuracy rate in identifying individuals with MCI.
“The areas of the brain involved in cognitive impairment overlap with areas of the brain involved in motor function, so when one is diminished, the other is impacted as well,” added Guess. “These can be very subtle differences in motor function related to balance and walking that our new device is able to detect but would go unnoticed through observation.”
With Alzheimer’s cases in the United States projected to more than double by 2060, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early detection could lead to significant improvements in outcomes for millions.
“Only about 8% of people in the U.S. who are believed to have MCI receive a clinical diagnosis,” Hall added.
The team’s long-term vision is to deploy the portable system in settings such as community centers, physical therapy clinics and senior centers, thereby democratizing access to early screening and diagnosis.
“There are new drugs coming out to treat those with MCI, but you need a diagnosis of MCI to qualify for the medications,” Hall added.
The device detects subtle changes in movement that might indicate cognitive strain, such as slower walking speeds or increased swaying.
Future research will expand the system’s applications to assess fall risk and frailty among older adults, and explore its utility in conditions like concussions, Parkinson’s disease and joint replacements.
“This portable system has many other applications, too, including looking at those with concussions, sports rehabilitation, ALS and Parkinson’s disease, knee replacements and hip replacements,” Guess added. “Moving is an important part of who we are. It’s rewarding to see that this portable system can be beneficial in a lot of different ways.”
The study participants, many of whom have personal connections to Alzheimer’s, are deeply committed to advancing this research.
“Many of those who came in to be tested either have been diagnosed with MCI or have a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease, so they feel strongly about helping us move this forward,” added Hall. “It really amplifies why this is so important to me.”
Published in the journal Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders, the study is supported by funding from the University of Missouri Coulter Biomedical Accelerator, which assists in collaborative development of devices that enhance societal well-being.
Source: University of Missouri