Detecting alzheimer's earlier through language and brainwaves
Alzheimer’s disease often develops silently for years before the first symptoms become apparent. Researchers at the University of Antwerp are exploring ways to detect changes in the brain earlier, more reliably, and less invasively.
Forgetting a name, struggling to find the right words, or reacting differently than before: such changes can be early signs of a brain disorder. But how can you determine whether that is truly the case? Neurologist Rose Bruffaerts from the Department of Biomedical Sciences and her team are investigating new ways to identify signs of cognitive decline by measuring brain activity.
Learning from Holiday Stories
"Today, people who visit a doctor with memory complaints usually undergo a series of tests. Their scores on memory, language and attention tasks are then compared with what is considered normal for their age and educational background. This is often followed by an MRI scan and, in some cases, a lumbar puncture to collect cerebrospinal fluid," Bruffaerts explains. "We chose to develop assessment tasks that are much closer to everyday life. Participants, for example, read sentences or talk about their most recent holiday. This feels more natural and produces results that are less influenced by stress."
From Language Models to AI
The researchers focus not only on what people say, but also on how they say it. “Using language models and artificial intelligence, we analyse factors such as word choice, speech rate, pauses and intonation,” says Bruffaerts.
At the same time, the team uses EEG to measure how the brain responds. Participants wear a cap fitted with sensors that record the brain’s electrical activity. “By comparing this activity with that of healthy volunteers and different patient groups, we look for patterns that may help detect Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders at an earlier stage,” Bruffaerts explains. Another promising avenue of research involves the highly precise measurement of eye movements.
More than Alzheimer’s disease
To be clear, Alzheimer’s disease refers to the brain disorder in which the proteins amyloid and tau accumulate in the brain. When this disease, or another underlying condition, progresses to cognitive impairment so severe that a person can no longer function independently, it is referred to as dementia.
In other words, dementia can have several different causes. Problems with blood flow to the brain or the accumulation of other proteins can also lead to dementia. Another type of protein build-up is seen in frontotemporal degeneration, which is more common in patients under the age of 65. When dementia occurs at a younger age, it is often referred to as young-onset dementia.
“By comparing brain activity patterns, we aim to identify signals that could enable earlier detection of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Faster answers
“Younger patients in particular are sometimes initially diagnosed with depression or burnout,” says Bruffaerts. “Families tell us that they are referred from one doctor to another for years before receiving a clear diagnosis. Studies show that, on average, it takes more than four years for patients with young-onset dementia to receive the correct diagnosis.”
Early detection is becoming increasingly important as new treatments are emerging that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. “Two medicines have recently been approved by the European Medicines Agency, and they are intended for a specific group of patients in the early stages of the disease. More broadly, however, the earlier we understand what is happening, the sooner patients can gain access to the most appropriate care.”
Support the research
Would you like to help advance the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders? Support alzheimer’s research at the University of Antwerp through the University Fund.