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Pharma and biotech companies have long sought effective therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, the Israeli-founded startup MyndYou is taking a different route, using artificial intelligence (AI) to track early cognitive changes in patients by analysing subtle shifts in speech patterns. This groundbreaking approach, being tested in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, aims to offer more objective and efficient diagnostic methods, particularly for conditions like Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a language disorder linked to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
MyndYou’s method revolves around a smartphone app that collects data in a non-intrusive way. Patients make brief, conversational phone calls to researchers, during which their voices are recorded and analysed for cognitive markers. By avoiding wearables, which can be inconvenient for older users, the system taps into the ubiquity of smartphones. The AI technology also integrates additional data from daily activities, such as sleep patterns, to provide a more comprehensive view of cognitive health.
This innovative platform not only supports early detection but aligns with the growing trend toward personalized medicine. By offering insights into subtle cognitive changes, it could help tailor care to individual needs, prolong independence for patients, and ease the burden on caregivers. The technology could also be a game-changer for pharmaceutical companies, offering a valuable tool in clinical trials by identifying early-stage participants.
MyndYou, though small, is scaling quickly. Its CEO, Ruth Poliakine-Baruchi, envisions the company growing to a mid-sized operation as its partnerships expand. With its cutting-edge AI tools and emphasis on non-invasive care, MyndYou is poised to make a significant impact on the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
