Determining the most appropriate diagnostic test for a patient is not always straightforward. Researchers from Alzheimercentrum Amsterdam have published an article on how a computer tool based on artificial intelligence can assist in this process. Together with researchers from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Italy, they developed a data-driven method to efficiently and systematically conduct diagnostic tests. The researchers focused on three key clinical questions:
1. What is the syndrome diagnosis? (control, MCI, or dementia)
2. What is the underlying etiological diagnosis? (Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, or frontotemporal dementia)
3. Is the patient a potential candidate for new Alzheimer’s disease medications?
All patients first underwent a digital cognitive screening test, cCOG. The computer tool, cNeuro, then determined which additional tests were needed, based on the clinical question and the certainty of the diagnosis. This approach allowed researchers to design accurate and efficient diagnostic pathways, offering doctors support from the computer tool in deciding which test would most contribute to a correct diagnosis.
Testing in seven European memory clinics
As a next step, the researchers will test this method in seven European memory clinics as part of the PROMINENT project. Physicians will assess patient cases with and without the stepwise method. The study will investigate whether the method helps in reaching a diagnosis faster, with fewer tests, and with greater confidence. Additionally, the researchers will gather feedback from physicians, patients, and their families on their experience using the computer tools.
Read the full article: Computerized decision support to optimally funnel patients through the diagnostic pathway for dementia | Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy This research (4D FUTURE) was also supported by a Memorabel grant from ZonMW. Find out more about the PROMINENT project: https://www.ihi-prominent.eu/