machineMD is an implementation partner in the new dementia-focused SwissBrAInHealth Flagship Initiative supported by Innosuisse. The transdisciplinary project will contribute to the development of systemic innovations that should enable early detection and delay the onset of dementia through targeted prevention.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already changing clinical research, diagnostics and therapy - for example through large language models and deep learning analysis of big “omics” data for AI-supported diagnostics. This is where SwissBrAInHealth comes in: The initiative aims to develop and evaluate a so-called "Augmented intelligence system" to individually reduce the risk of dementia in people with subjective cognitive complaints: this includes developing digital biomarkers for brain health, an AI system to support diagnostics and a therapy app for individualized risk modification through behavioral changes.
machineMD’s role: enriching the model with oculomic data from specialized clinical assessments
Researchers in the SwissBrAInHealth Flagship Initiative will perform standardized, objective oculometric and pupillometric clinical assessments using neos®, machineMD's CE-Marked medical device intended to support diagnosis and monitoring of neuro-ophthalmic conditions. These specialist measurements will complement longitudinal lifestyle data in the SwissBrAInHealth model, helping the consortium explore functional digital biomarkers for personalized brain health.
“Oculomic data from specialist neuro-ophthalmic assessments has the potential to complement human expertise with novel digital biomarkers in support of risk factor identification, diagnosis and monitoring” said Sam Schenk, Head of Innovation at machineMD. “This aligns perfectly with the project’s focus on driving personalized and preventative healthcare, and improving health equity.”
machineMD is a spin-off from the University of Bern, founded in 2019, with concepts elaborated in the Eye Movement Laboratory of the University Hospital, Inselspital. An initial Innosuisse Project in 2021 included the University of Bern, and a Bilateral Innovation Project supported by Innosuisse and Innovate UK monitors ocular manifestations of people with Parkinson’s.
Innosuisse's 2024 flagship call for proposals focuses on the key topic of "Artificial intelligence in life sciences with a focus on human health". The aim is to promote interdisciplinary innovations that bring measurable benefits for patients, healthcare systems and the economy - with the potential for systemic change. Funding is provided for technologically as well as socially, legally and ethically viable solutions that strengthen Switzerland's international competitiveness.
University of Bern as a pioneer for innovation in the field of dementia
The University of Bern is the leading house for the Innosuisse Flagship Initiative SwissBrAInHealth under the co-leadership of Prof. Dr. Bogdan Draganski from the Department of Neurology - Brain Health Clinic at Inselspital, University Hospital Bern and Prof. Dr. Tobias Nef, from the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research at the University of Bern. The research project with 5 academic partners (ETH Zurich, EPF Lausanne, CHUV, HE-SO, and HSLU) and 12 industrial partners, including machineMD, is designed to run for 5 years and is supported by Innosuisse and the participating industrial partners with a total of 9.6 million Swiss francs.
Forecasts point to a doubling to tripling of dementia cases in Switzerland by 2050, which could result in an estimated 25.4 billion Swiss francs per year in healthcare costs.
"Meta-analyses show that almost 50% of the risk of developing dementia depends on lifestyle factors, such as cardiovascular fitness, exercise and social activities. Efficient and cost-saving strategies are urgently needed to improve the prevention of dementia," explains Draganski. "Reducing the risk by 20% in a third of people at risk would lead to annual savings of 750 million Swiss francs," says Draganski.
Promoting digital health literacy
"The augmented intelligence system complements human expertise with AI capabilities by combining clinical assessment with continuous lifestyle assessment via digital biomarkers based on smartwatches, bed sensors or shoe sensors," says Tobias Nef. He adds: "Swiss BrAIn Health offers a model for early, individualized interventions that focuses on inclusivity and ethical innovation. Digital treatments support patients in carrying out therapy in accordance with the instructions and recommendations of medical staff and enable continuous monitoring and care outside the hospital."
The validation of the clinical benefits will be carried out in the Brain Health Clinic at Inselspital and will form the basis for future Brain Health Centers.
"By promoting digital health literacy and the affordability of brain health resources, the project supports Switzerland's societal resilience in the face of an ageing population," concludes Nef.