New AI tool detects Alzheimer's behaviors decades before diagnosis

A groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool developed by researchers in the United States offers the potential to detect signs of Alzheimer's disease decades before clinical diagnosis.

The innovative tool identifies subtle behavioral changes indicative of early brain dysfunction, paving the way for earlier intervention and improved disease tracking.

The team from Gladstone Institutes in California designed a machine learning platform called VAME (Variational Animal Motion Embedding), which analyzes video footage of mice engineered to model key features of Alzheimer's disease.

Published in the journal Cell Reports, the study highlights how VAME can recognize early behavioral irregularities that may go unnoticed by traditional observation methods.

Using video analysis, VAME detected subtle and disorganized behaviors in mice as they aged, including unusual activity patterns and frequent transitions between different movements. These behaviors, believed to be linked to deficits in memory and attention, are early indicators of neurological decline.

"AI has the potential to revolutionize how we analyze behaviors associated with Alzheimer's and other brain disorders," said Jorge Palop, a Gladstone investigator.

Beyond its applications in Alzheimer's research, the AI tool can be used to study other neurological diseases, providing insights into their progression and origins.

The team also explored how therapeutic interventions could mitigate early signs of Alzheimer's. They found that genetically blocking fibrin, a blood-clotting protein that triggers toxic brain inflammation, prevented abnormal behaviors in mice with Alzheimer's-like conditions.

This dual capability of VAME—to detect early symptoms and evaluate therapeutic efficacy—represents a significant advance in Alzheimer’s research.

While the study focused on mice, the researchers believe this approach could lead to similar breakthroughs in detecting and treating Alzheimer's in humans. By identifying the disease earlier and understanding its progression, clinicians may be able to develop more targeted and effective interventions.

"This tool not only helps us understand Alzheimer’s better but also opens up possibilities for tackling other devastating brain disorders," Palop added.