Over the past year, scientists have been successful in tackling COVID-19, a previously unknown disease, and within a year developed effective new vaccines. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s disease was first officially discovered in November 1906, 115 years ago and there is currently still no cure for this disease.
Being the most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is known to be the most complex disease of the brain because it is influenced by a range of genetic and environmental factors and even scientists today still do not fully understand what causes the disease in most people.
This chronic disease may be present for 20 to 30 years before the first symptoms even become obvious.
The biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age and this disease mainly affects people over the age of 65.
Just within Singapore, an estimated 86,000 people may have dementia and this number is expected to soar to 130,000 or more by 2030.
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A turning point for coping with Alzheimer's Disease
We speak to Dr. Alvin Chan, a data scientist and artificial intelligence expert who co-founded a local start-up, Neeuro — a brain technology platform for digital brain health and education tech that helps children to seniors optimize their brains’ potential with the use of neurotechnology and gamification.
Dr Chan explains “There is a broad spectrum of the causes of dementia, and some are unavoidable. Nonetheless, the notion of “use it or lose it” is always there, so it is good that we keep the mind active by getting it stimulated and challenging it with cognitive tasks. What’s important is that we stay open and not be afraid of new advances or new technology.”
Tech solutions for a healthier mind
Although cognitive functions are expected to decline with age, clinical evidence has proven that training can help to stimulate, maintain and improve attention and executive functions within seniors. The training targets specific cognitive domains through structured, frequent and repeated engagement in standardised cognitively demanding tasks. As a result, it could potentially help to delay the symptoms and keep the mind working better for longer. With technological advancements, higher learning can also be more effective through technology-enabled learning.
To tackle cognitive decline due to ageing, Neeuro has invented the Neeuro SenzeBand which helps these individuals take control of their cognitive decline through specifically curated games on their mobile app. Neeuro’s solution is not a cure for Alzheimer’s but instead, a tool to help seniors take control of their brain health while being stimulated and engaged. Neeuro’s system also tracks and record brain signals which objectively illustrates the specific mental state of an individual. This portable EEG device could be helpful in determining certain courses of action through the data it receives. The role of EEG has also been demonstrated to be particularly useful in early detection and classification of dementia which eventually can help better manage the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Alvin Chan and his team have also created dedicated sessions that help seniors take control of their brain health challenges. Designed so that users will be able to have fun while keeping their mind active, silvers can participate in a 12-weeks structured course conducted in a class environment that targets and trains the different cognitive pillars of attention, flexibility, decision making, and spatial awareness.
Another area for concern is that it is not uncommon for mental illnesses, particularly depression, to occur in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Apart from continually stimulating the mind, the best defence that we have today against Alzheimer’s is to practice holistic healthy living. That means, eating right, exercising regularly, not procrastinating on our health problems, and remaining connected to our loved ones. An early diagnosis always helps, and caregivers of patients with dementia could also start to understand and consider the benefits of technology to improve their quality of life.
About Neeuro:
Neeuro, a Singapore-based company, that focusses on empowering minds to overcome brain health challenges through Artificial Intelligence and Digital Therapeutics. Neeuro’s vision is to empower people to live happier, healthier, and more productively through the use of neurotechnology and gamification. Founded by a team of technopreneurs, neuroscientists, data scientists and game specialists, Neeuro believes in seeking preventing methods rather than to find a cure.
For more information, visit www.neeuro.com.
