On 4 July, the LETHE project held its final event, showcasing major findings from four and a half years of research on dementia risk reduction. The event, organised as an online webinar, brought together project partners, researchers, and members of the public to share results from the LETHE feasibility trial, infrastructure setup, AI-based personalisation tools, and a newly developed Brain Health Literacy Portal.
Coordinator Sten Hanke opened the webinar by outlining the project’s aims and summarising the technical and scientific achievements. These included the completion of a two-year feasibility study with 156 participants across four countries, a high retention rate (only four dropouts), development of digital tools to support personalised prevention, and the creation of a rich dataset combining clinical and digital biomarkers.
Jeroen Bruinsma presented research on behavioural determinants of dementia risk reduction. Findings showed that many people were unaware of their own modifiable risk factors and perceived behaviour change as difficult or unrealistic. These insights informed the design of the LETHE app’s goal-setting and feedback functions, including a traffic light system to guide personalised support.
Helena Untersteiner provided preliminary results from the randomised controlled feasibility study. The trial showed high usability and sustained engagement with the app. While the CAIDE risk score did not show a significant difference between groups, adherence and app use remained high throughout the two-year period, including during the final months without in-person contact.
Mattia Pirani demonstrated the Brain Health Literacy Portal, a publicly accessible online platform providing reliable, tailored information on brain health. The portal allows healthcare professionals to upload validated content and gives users personalised access to materials based on their interests and preferences. The LETHE project has now concluded, but its outcomes (including its digital tools, AI models, and portal) will continue to be used and further developed in future research initiatives. The event recording is publicly available and can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZh4qF20cyk&feature=youtu.be