Technology for dementia screening in world leaders
Last year I wrote several grants on using brain scans to detect early dementia in political leaders. We should develop unbiased screening methods to preserve peace.
Image from NPR article on dementia screening in world leaders.
Obviously this is a controversial topic — but subclinical dementia was an accusation used to influence voting in the last election. More recently, the issue of testing has resurfaced in the US news.
Dementia in world leaders
About 13% of US adults aged 65 or older have dementia. Currently, it averages an “excessive” 1.8 years after the onset of cognitive decline before a diagnosis of dementia is confirmed.
However. there is abundant historical evidence that early dementia in world leaders played a significant role in undesirable geopolitical decisions.
Therefore it is both desirable and timely to look for high-tech solutions to the problem. When I did the research for the grants I found that two new technologies should be developed and routinely used as screening tools for people in positions of high-trust and leadership.
Technology for dementia screening
There is very good evidence that both functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and machine-learning gait analysis can detect dementia of all types, years prior to presentation, with more sensitivity than standard screening tests.
Currently, diagnosis is predominantly based on clinical criteria, but neuroimaging (fMRI, positron emission tomography (PET), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is rapidly gaining a foothold in the medical literature.
We need better evidence on fMRI but task-based testing shows the most promise. Functional MRI can show early signals of dementia such as failed memory formation, and strutural changes in the brain.
Deep learning gait analysis is an emerging machine learning/artificial intelligence field. In a 2019 Nature article gait analysis was shown in Nature to correlate with more standardized testing such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
There are several startups such as GaitIQ interested in disseminating this service to the public
There is abundant evidence that this technology should be developed post-haste given the need for rational decisionmaking in an era that requires geopolitical peace.
Technology for dementia screening in world leaders conclusion
We should invest in this technology and require everyone in a position of trust over the age of 40 years to undergo standard screening, just like the DMV screens vision.
Improved screening and early diagnosis is not only to protect the public, early treatment also helps the individual suffering from dementia and can increase the years of quality life remaining.
#dementia #fmri #geopolitics #ai #ml #deeplearning #gaitanalysis #politics #law #todreamalife
