3rd Edition of Dementia World Conference 2026

Abstract

Background
Aging populations globally face increasing health challenges, notably the rapid spread of dementia. Early detection is crucial for slowing disease progression and improving the quality of life, but diagnosis is often delayed due to the subtle nature of early symptoms. Currently, no widely available Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm reliably identifies early dementia signs by analyzing patients' digital behavioral patterns. Our objective was to develop and validate such an AI-based algorithm to facilitate the timely diagnosis and treatment of dementia.
Materials and Methods
We utilized the PreDEM system, an AI-based platform, for this investigation. Data was collected from 4,334 participants between September 2021 and March 2025, during which 171,577 cognitive tests (e.g., SDMT-type, Stroop, memory games) were completed, resulting in 6,049,916 data points. A unified, normalized evaluation system was established for objective comparison across tests. The AI algorithm analyzed participants' digital behavioral patterns to identify early signs of dementia.
Results
Participants were categorized into "potentially treated" and "potentially healthy" groups. Analysis, including density function comparison and cluster analysis (using SDMT results), showed clear differences between the groups. Within the affected group, a lower-performing subgroup was identified and subsequent neurological/neuropsychological examinations confirmed cognitive impairment. In the higher-performing affected subgroup, cognitive dysfunction was often linked to organic causes (e.g., depression, diabetes, post-COVID syndrome). Treating these underlying organic causes, combined with regular use of the PreDEM platform, led to significant cognitive improvement in these participants.

Conclusion
The PreDEM system effectively screened for early, subtle signs of dementia using AI-based risk analysis. Beyond early detection, the system supports monitoring and improvement through trend analysis. Early diagnosis enabled timely initiation of necessary treatments, helping to preserve cognitive functions and enhance quality of life. The PreDEM system represents a significant advancement in the diagnosis and management of dementia.