A new frontier in Alzheimer’s detection has emerged in Hong Kong, where a pioneering health service is harnessing the power of retinal imaging AI. This innovative approach is not just another healthcare trend; it represents a significant step forward in predicting Alzheimer’s disease risk, making it the first of its kind globally.
Humansa, a health and wellness center focusing on longevity, has teamed up with i-Cognitio Sciences, an ocular imaging company spin-off from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Together, they are offering this groundbreaking service, which utilizes advanced AI to conduct comprehensive brain health assessments and develop personalized lifestyle strategies.
The AI technology at the heart of this initiative was developed using a robust dataset consisting of around 13,000 fundus images collected from approximately 648 Alzheimer’s patients and over 3,000 individuals with normal cognitive function. A study published in Lancet Digital Health in 2022 verified the technology’s efficacy, demonstrating an accuracy rate between 80% and 92% for identifying Alzheimer’s disease risks across diverse ethnic groups from various countries.
What sets this service apart is its holistic approach to brain health. It not only assesses an individual’s risk but also crafts lifestyle interventions based on that risk profile. The comprehensive brain health package includes preventive strategies, recommendations for supplements, restorative therapies, and medical support aimed at enhancing longevity.
The importance of this development cannot be overstated, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where dementia substantially impacts the elderly population. Statistically, one in three individuals aged 85 and older is affected by dementia in this area. In Hong Kong, a concerning tenth of the population aged 70 and above grapples with this condition, with more than half of these cases attributed to Alzheimer’s disease.
As recent studies suggest, up to 45% of dementia cases might be preventable or can be delayed significantly. This underscores the urgent need for early detection. Traditional cognitive tests and structural imaging are often less reliable. More accurate techniques, like amyloid-PET scanning and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, are invasive and less accessible. This creates a pressing need for a solution that can offer early and reliable detection without the downsides of more invasive methods.
To address this gap, the CUHK-led study harnessed deep learning technology to develop a low-cost, low-labor method for identifying Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients within community settings. This approach is crucial, as it allows for a higher frequency of screenings in a more relaxed environment, significantly improving early detection opportunities.
In a larger context, the use of AI in retinal imaging has gained traction not only in Hong Kong but globally. Recent research from Australia has highlighted intriguing connections between retinal health and various diseases. This research has demonstrated that reduced retinal thickness is closely associated with multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. Such findings spark hope for future advancements in AI applications for overall health monitoring.
Additionally, endeavors in Japan and South Korea explore the eyes’ diagnostic potential for neurodevelopmental disorders. For instance, researchers from Yonsei University Health System in South Korea have developed AI models to analyze retinal photographs of children, aiming to identify risks for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Meanwhile, a Japanese researcher from Waseda University utilized eye-tracking technology to devise methods for early autism spectrum disorder diagnoses.
Continuing the trend, another research group from CUHK, in collaboration with Beijing Tongren Hospital, has unveiled a generative AI model capable of predicting eye diseases. This model, trained on a vast ophthalmic database comprising 3.4 million images, has shown promise in detecting intracranial tumors from retinal images, highlighting the breadth of possibilities for AI in healthcare.
At the center of this innovation is a powerful understanding of the connection between the brain and the retina. "The retina is an extension of the brain," explains Vincent Mok, the founding director of i-Cognitio and a distinguished professor of Medicine at CUHK. He emphasizes the significance of non-invasive fundus photography, stating that changes in the retina’s blood vessels and nerves can signal Alzheimer’s disease a decade or more before more overt symptoms manifest. This capability to detect subtle microvascular changes is a revolutionary advancement, serving as a key to identifying high-risk individuals, which is critical for timely intervention.
As we consider the implications of this revolutionary service in Hong Kong, it’s essential to understand that early detection of Alzheimer’s disease can drastically improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Improved screening methods not only provide quicker access to treatment options but also empower individuals to adopt lifestyle changes that can mitigate risk, making preventive healthcare more accessible and effective.
In sum, Hong Kong’s introduction of retinal imaging AI to predict Alzheimer’s disease risk marks a transformative shift in the landscape of brain health. By combining advanced technology with personalized care, this approach not only seeks to enhance individual health outcomes but also aims to address a looming public health issue with compassion. As this initiative unfolds, it serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating the potential of innovation in combating one of the most challenging diseases of our time.
