Sound test can diagnose Alzheimer's disease

In recent years, advancements in medical technology have opened new doors for early detection of neurological conditions. One such breakthrough involves the use of sound-based tests to identify Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage. In the United States, researchers have initiated clinical trials that utilize computer programs to analyze brainwave patterns during simple acoustic tasks. This innovative approach aims to detect early signs of dementia, which affects approximately 24 million people worldwide. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s remains a significant challenge, as current methods often rely on post-mortem examination of brain tissue. Before this, memory and cognitive assessments were the primary tools used by doctors. However, these methods are not always accurate—community hospitals can only identify about 75% of cases, while specialist clinics achieve accuracy rates between 85% and 90%. Robin Policka, a computer engineer from Roven University, has developed a program designed to assist in diagnosing Alzheimer’s. The system uses an electrode cap to monitor brain activity during an auditory test. Participants listen to a series of low-pitched tones interspersed with occasional high-pitched "singular" tones. When a singular tone is heard, they press a button, and their brain response is recorded. In healthy individuals, this triggers a peak in brain activity known as the P300 response, typically occurring around 300 milliseconds after the tone. The software tracks changes in both the timing and strength of this response. During clinical trials, 28 early-stage Alzheimer’s patients and 24 healthy volunteers participated. The system conducted 52 different analyses, randomly dividing participants into groups to determine the likelihood of each individual belonging to a specific group. The results showed an average accuracy rate of 79%, surpassing the performance of many community hospitals. The research team hopes that this technology will become more widely available, especially in areas without access to specialized clinics. Ongoing studies are also exploring its potential in detecting dementia among Parkinson’s patients, as up to 30% of them eventually develop the condition. By identifying early warning signs, this method could revolutionize how we diagnose and treat neurodegenerative diseases.

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