Our research project aims to use advanced machine learning techniques to enhance our understanding of complex medical data. Specifically the deep learning technique have shown tremendous potential in medical applications for diagnosing and detecting diseases at early stage based on imaging data. By doing this, we hope to develop a tool that can help doctors identify Alzheimer’s at its onset, giving patients and their families more time to plan and manage the condition.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia, accounting for approximately 60-70% of cases. Linked to the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, leading to nerve cell damage and death. As of 2021, over 6 million Americans aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s, and this number is expected to rise to 13.8 million by 2050 if no breakthrough in treatment or prevention occurs.
It is estimated that around 50 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. This estimate comes from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). Globally, an estimated 50 million people were living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most common cause. This number is projected to reach over 150 million by 2050 if there are no breakthroughs in treatment or prevention.
In the United States, the total cost of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias was projected to reach $355 billion in 2021. The number of deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s has increased by 145% between 2000 and 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health organizations have recognized the escalating impact of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, and have called for increased efforts in research, awareness, and support.
Some key limitations include late detection, subjectivity in clinical assessment, reliance on cognitive testing, limited access to specialized imaging techniques and challenges in clinical trials.
The project will make use of the vast imaging and demographic data that UK Biobank has, to build such systems to predict the onset of these diseases. We estimate that it will take up to two years to complete the research project.