Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have developed a new artificial intelligence tool called StateViewer that can diagnose nine different types of dementia—including Alzheimer’s disease—with 88% accuracy using just a single brain scan.
According to Interesting Engineering, diagnosing dementia is usually a complex and time-consuming process that requires cognitive tests, medical imaging, blood work, and consultations with specialists. Recently, researchers have succeeded in creating an AI-based tool that can identify nine forms of dementia using a common brain scan. This tool, named StateViewer, aims to speed up and improve the accuracy of diagnosis, marking a significant step toward early intervention in neurological disorders.
StateViewer analyzes FDG-PET brain scans, which show how the brain utilizes glucose—a key indicator of brain activity.
AI-Assisted Dementia Diagnosis
The tool compares a patient’s scan against a large database of brain scans from individuals with confirmed diagnoses of various dementia types. Using machine learning techniques, StateViewer identifies distinct brain activity patterns associated with each form of dementia.
Different types of dementia affect different regions of the brain. For instance, Alzheimer’s disease primarily impacts areas responsible for memory and information processing, while Lewy body dementia affects attention and motor control regions.
StateViewer presents its analysis results through color-coded brain maps, making it easier even for general practitioners to interpret and understand the diagnosis.
Dr. David Jones, a neurologist and Director of the AI Program in the Neurology Department at Mayo Clinic—who led the project—said:
“Every patient who walks into my clinic brings a unique story shaped by the complexities of their brain. That complexity is what drew me to neurology, and it continues to fuel my drive to find clearer answers. StateViewer reflects that commitment—a step toward earlier understanding, more accurate treatment, and ultimately, changing the course of these diseases.”
According to global statistics, over 55 million people worldwide live with some form of dementia, with 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer’s alone is the fifth leading cause of death globally. Even with current tools, accurately diagnosing the condition remains a challenge—even for experienced physicians.
The findings from this research have been published in the journal Neurology.
