On 9 October 2024, the LETHE project was featured in a session at the 34th Alzheimer Europe Conference in Geneva, showcasing advancements in AI and technology for dementia prevention. Project coordinator Sten Hanke (FH Joanneum) introduced the session, followed by Francesca Mangialasche (Karolinska Institutet), who spoke on risk reduction and prevention. She highlighted research on modifiable risk factors and the need for multi-domain interventions, building on the FINGER model and its global expansion.
Sten Hanke then explained how LETHE uses AI, wearable devices, and apps to provide personalised interventions, monitoring participants' physical activity, sleep, and cognitive function over two years. Jeroen Bruinsma (Maastricht University) discussed techniques for ensuring participant adherence, detailing goal-setting, self-monitoring, and digital prompts through the app. He shared findings from participant interviews, which revealed challenges in implementing lifestyle changes without structured support.
Elisabeth Stögmann (Medical University of Vienna) provided an update on the study’s progress, noting high retention rates and data collection success despite challenges in long-term participant engagement. Lastly, Ana Diaz (Alzheimer Europe) discussed the importance of Public Involvement, emphasising how input from people with cognitive complaints and their carers shaped the project’s design to ensure its relevance. She also provided the attendees with resources about Alzheimer Europe’s Public Involvement work, the approach and further information. The session closed with a lively and engaged questions and answers round. The recording of the session is available here: https://youtu.be/w15OBC4lgj0
