AI Voice Detection Could Diagnose Alzheimer’s - Akshita Malhotra

Cognitive examinations, brain scanning & imaging, behavior observations are some techniques that help in the detection of the worldwide prevalence of #Alzheimer's disease. Quite difficult to diagnose, Alzheimer’s is known to kill 1 in 3 senior citizens each year. The World Health Organisation also lists Alzheimer's as the most frequent cause of dementia, which further affects 24 Million people worldwide.?

But what if we tell you that a quick voice note, one that is usually sent on whatsapp, can help you diagnose this deadly disease?

Yes, according to a recent research by the Alzheimer's Association, changes in one’s voice modulation can help detect Alzheimer's disease. Majority of individuals associate Alzheimer’s disease with memory loss, but not known is the fact that the disease highly impacts speech and language abilities in the initial phases itself.?

The research typically asked 206 people to describe a piece of artwork for 1-2 minutes, and so, the voice note was as simple as that, to record. Not only does earlier diagnosis help decrease the risk of the disease, it also makes sure that friends and family of the patients are well informed beforehand. The voice changes might be subtle to detect, and so, there are also companies that are combining AI with deep learning to facilitate the entire detection process, hence making it more convenient and effective.?

Still being tested in labs, the technology is yet to find its way in the real-world. Most CEOs also suggest that the voice detection might have to be combined with doctors’ formal diagnosis in order to get a green flag!??