UCLA’s New AI Tool May Help Identify People at Risk of Undiagnosed Alzheimer’s
UCLA has developed an AI tool that can detect up to 80% of undiagnosed Alzheimer’s cases.
ABC7 Eyewitness News reports on a groundbreaking new AI tool developed by UCLA researchers that could help identify people at risk of undiagnosed Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and experts estimate that up to 40% of cases go undiagnosed.
In the report, Denise Dador interviews Dr. Timothy Chang, UCLA neurologist, who explains how early diagnosis is critical for patient care and access to new therapies. The AI system analyzes patient medical records, including age, prior diagnoses, and neurological indicators, and can detect nearly 80% of undiagnosed cases—almost double the accuracy of existing models. Researchers also trained the tool to improve diagnosis in underrepresented groups, including Black and Latino communities, who are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s but less likely to receive an early diagnosis.
Early detection allows patients to access treatments sooner and make lifestyle changes that may help slow disease progression, while giving families more time to plan for future care. This report highlights how artificial intelligence may play a key role in transforming Alzheimer’s diagnosis, treatment, and health equity.
Video courtesy of ABC7 Eyewitness News.
