Reimagining dementia screening: A stakeholder-informed perspective on artificial intelligence, digital biomarkers,...

Area of Science:

• Neurology and Digital Health
• Healthcare Innovation
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• The advent of disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease necessitates a reevaluation of existing cognitive screening protocols.
• Current screening methods face challenges including time limitations in primary care settings and learning effects in long-term care facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers in current cognitive screening workflows for Alzheimer's disease.
• To explore innovative solutions, particularly those leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digital biomarkers, to enhance cognitive screening.
• To propose implementation strategies for new screening technologies.

Main Methods:

• Conducted over 180 stakeholder interviews through the NSF National I-Corps program to gather insights into current clinical workflows and challenges.
• Analyzed qualitative data to identify key barriers and opportunities for innovation in cognitive screening.
• Focused on AI-driven approaches, specifically speech analysis, as a potential scalable and cost-effective screening tool.

Main Results:

• Identified significant barriers in current cognitive screening, including time constraints and learning effects.
• Highlighted AI and digital biomarkers, especially speech analysis, as promising avenues for improved screening.
• Speech analysis presents a scalable, cost-effective tool compatible with existing healthcare reimbursement structures (CPT codes).

Conclusions:

• Technological innovation, particularly AI-driven speech analysis, can address critical needs in Alzheimer's disease cognitive screening.
• Aligning technological advancements with clinical practice is essential for translating research breakthroughs into tangible patient and provider benefits.
• There is an urgent need to implement innovative screening strategies to support the effective use of new Alzheimer's disease treatments.