Dementia is a pressing global health issue, currently affecting over 55 million people worldwide, including more than 1 million in the UK, with projections suggesting this number could rise to 153 million by 2050.

In the US alone, Alzheimer's disease impacts over 5 million individuals, highlighting the urgent need for improved detection and treatment methods.

In Scotland, researchers are embarking on an ambitious project to develop AI tools that can predict dementia risk by analyzing up to 1.6 million CT and MRI scans linked to public health records.

This initiative, part of a global collaboration known as NEURii, aims to create a digital tool that will assist radiologists in diagnosing the early stages of dementia-related diseases.

By isolating high-risk patient groups, the project seeks to facilitate the development of more targeted and effective treatments for various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's.

Professor Emanuele Trucco from the University of Dundee highlights the potential of the new dataset to enhance neurological research and improve clinical decision-making through integrated software tools.

The NEURii project aims to create scalable and cost-effective brain technology solutions that prioritize patient care, addressing the current limitations and high costs associated with dementia treatments.

Willy Gilder, a former journalist diagnosed with Alzheimer's, emphasizes the critical importance of early diagnosis for managing dementia risk and improving patient outcomes.

Professor Will Whiteley, co-leading the project, stresses the need for large-scale data collection from high-risk individuals to support the development of new dementia treatments.

The study employs artificial intelligence to identify patterns and early signs of dementia from the scans, which could lead to better understanding and earlier diagnosis.

NHS Scotland's Public Benefit and Privacy Panel has approved the research, underscoring the importance of balancing public benefit with privacy considerations.

Data from the study will be securely stored in the Scottish National Safe Haven, ensuring patient identities are protected through anonymization.