A novel AI-based screening tool that transforms mild cognitive impairment (MCI) detection into an engaging 15-minute gaming experience has been incorporated into Singapore's health screening services. ReCOGnAIze, developed at Nanyang Technology University's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), employs a series of scientifically designed games to evaluate crucial brain functions.
The application features four distinct games targeting specific cognitive domains, validated through extensive research at LKCMedicine's Dementia Research Centre. These include assessments of processing speed, executive function, attention, and working memory, creating a comprehensive cognitive evaluation platform.
"Gamification enables us to pick up different features or metrics from the gameplay and helps in detecting specific brain functions which could be related to cognitive decline," explains Mohammed Adnan Azam, co-founder of Gray Matter Solutions. He adds, "the interactions and features captured from gamification provide a lot more in-depth insights to enable in-depth machine learning and deep learning models."
The tool's efficacy is supported by robust clinical validation, demonstrating 89% accuracy in identifying MCI across a study of 230 individuals in the Biomarkers and Cognition Study, Singapore. This development comes at a critical time, as Singapore faces growing dementia challenges, with approximately 86,000 cases recorded in 2021 and projections indicating an increase to 150,000 by 2030.
NTU Singapore associate professor and Gray Matter Solutions co-founder Nagaendran Kandiah emphasizes the tool's significance: "scalable and cost-effective way to detect MCI, allowing timely medical interventions that can significantly improve quality of life."
The company has initiated its commercial journey through a partnership with Osler Health, offering the tablet-based app as part of their holistic health assessment package. Looking ahead, Gray Matter Solutions is pursuing funding of up to $1.5 million to facilitate expansion and development of additional products and services.
This innovation addresses a critical healthcare need, particularly relevant for Asian populations where dementia is frequently linked to vascular changes in the brain. The development represents a significant shift from traditional neuropsychological evaluations and imaging tests toward more accessible and engaging screening methods.
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