Early dementia diagnosis facilitated by automatically analysing MR images

In this project Erasmus MC and Quantib will develop quantitative image analysis methods optimally making use of MRI brain data for diagnosing dementia. In Europe, approximately 11 million people in Europe suffer from dementia, and this number is expected to at least double by 2050. Early and accurate identification of dementia’s underlying causes, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia or vascular dementia is of utmost importance for supporting preventive strategies, and for proper and tailored patient management.

Recent research showed that imaging techniques are among the most promising technologies to improve subclinical, early and differential dementia diagnosis. However, especially early in the disease process changes in the brain are subtle, and tools to support the accurate, objective, quantitative interpretation of MR brain imaging data are needed.

Since these are currently largely lacking, the main aim of this project is to develop and validate tools to achieve the full potential of quantitative neuroimaging in research and daily clinical practice. It will achieve this by extracting quantitative features from multimodal MR imaging data, and providing reference data derived from a unique large population study (The Rotterdam Study) to support their objective interpretation. Clinical evaluation will be performed at the Alzheimer Center Southwest Netherlands and collaborating clinics. After the evaluation there is large potential for valorisation in a fast-growing market of quantitative medical imaging software and services.