Introduction

In an innovative leap forward, the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University, has initiated a pioneering research program focused on the early detection of dementia using advanced artificial intelligence (AI). The program, dubbed NeurEYE, will harness anonymised eye scans from patients across Scotland, tapping into millions of eye scan data collected by optometrists. This revolutionary project is supported by the Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care, part of NHS Scotland, ensuring the ethical use of sensitive health data.

Objectives of NeurEYE

The aim of the NeurEYE project is not only to identify new biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases but also to expedite the development of novel treatments. By pinpointing individuals who could be valuable participants for clinical trials, researchers expect to improve the precision of monitoring treatment responses for dementia and related conditions.

AI Software Development

The team is set to develop state-of-the-art AI software that optometrists can utilize as both predictive and diagnostic tools for various health conditions, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. This software is envisioned to act as an early warning system, enabling optometrists to refer patients to specialist services and keep track of cognitive decline over time following diagnosis.

NEURii Initiative

NeurEYE is the second project borne from the NEURii initiative, a global partnership between the University of Edinburgh, Health Data Research UK, pharmaceutical giant Eisai, Gates Ventures, and the charity LifeArc. The first project under NEURii, SCAN-DAN, was announced in 2024 and leverages brain scans alongside AI to evaluate dementia risk, highlighting the growing focus on AI in healthcare.

Expert Insights

Leading the NeurEYE project, Professor Baljean Dhillon emphasized the interconnectedness of the retina's vascular systems and brain neural pathways. He pointed out that unlike brain imaging, retinal examinations can be performed easily and affordably using standard equipment available in optometry settings throughout the UK.

Co-leader Professor Miguel Bernabeu of the Usher Institute remarked on how crucial the dataset will be. “Recent strides in AI have the potential to revolutionize medical image analysis and disease forecasting. However, to build algorithms that are fair and unbiased, we need to ensure our training datasets reflect the full spectrum of the at-risk population,” he noted.

Role of Optometrists

Optometrist Ian Cameron from Cameron Optometry in Edinburgh echoed this sentiment, recognizing the role of optometrists as primary caregivers. “In Scotland, we’re becoming integral to the NHS system—monitoring our patients year after year allows us to gather significant health insights, making us the GPs of the eyes,” he said.

Personal Impact

Reflecting on the personal impact of the project, retired engineer David Steele shared how greater awareness and early detection could change lives. His mother suffered for ten years before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, initially misdiagnosed with dry macular degeneration. “If we had the predictive tools available, we could have secured timely help, alleviating the burdens that fell on my family during her illness,” he lamented.

Financial Implications

The financial implications of this AI initiative are staggering; projections suggest that the integration of AI tools for dementia detection could save the NHS upwards of £37 million annually. All patient scan data will be securely housed within the Scottish National Safe Haven, a trusted platform for NHS electronic data research, managed by Public Health Scotland through the Edinburgh International Data Facility.

Conclusion

This groundbreaking program not only represents a significant technological advancement but also embodies a profound commitment to improving the lives of those at risk of dementia throughout Scotland and beyond.