A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool is helping doctors better understand and diagnose dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found. The tool, called StateViewer, was created by researchers at the Mayo Clinic. It was able to correctly identify the type of dementia a patient had in 88 per cent of cases, according to findings published in the journal Neurology.
Doctors say the tool could make it easier to diagnose dementia earlier, even in people who have other medical issues that make it hard to figure out the cause of memory loss or confusion.
“Every patient who walks into my clinic carries a unique story shaped by the brain’s complexity,” said Dr. David Jones, the study’s senior author and head of the Mayo Clinic’s Neurology AI Program. “StateViewer helps us give clearer answers, earlier.”
How does it work
To build the tool, researchers used over 3,600 brain scans called FDG-PET scans, which show how the brain uses sugar for energy. The AI compares a patient’s scan to a large database of scans from people with confirmed types of dementia.
It looks for patterns in brain activity linked to different types of dementia. For example:
- Alzheimer’s disease affects memory and thinking
- Lewy body dementia involves movement and attention
- Frontotemporal dementia affects language and behaviour
The AI can recognise patterns for nine different types of dementia, the researchers said.
StateViewer also creates colour-coded brain maps, making it easier for doctors to understand what the AI is seeing and why it gave a particular diagnosis.
“Behind every brain scan is a real person with a lot of questions,” said Leland Barnard, the lead researcher. “This tool gives doctors fast and accurate information that can help patients get the right care sooner.”
What’s next
The team now plans to test StateViewer in different hospitals and clinics to see how well it works in real-life situations.
If successful, it could become a useful tool for doctors treating people with memory problems or suspected dementia.
Experts say this is a step toward more precise, early diagnosis, which is important because treatment often works best when started early.
“This is just the beginning,” Dr. Jones said. “Tools like this could help change the way we care for people with dementia.”