AI Tool CognoSpeak: Detecting Early Dementia with Virtual Agents

CognoSpeak is an innovative AI tool developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield to diagnose dementia and Alzheimer's more efficiently.

[{"selector":"#anim-42b1b162-0e90-422f-90ba-d3c2f8a31a73","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c0f7283-fdec-4c65-9503-a22e523f8727","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f47d7343-6aa4-4390-b208-0306cce4e429","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The tool utilizes virtual agents and cognitive tests to engage patients in assessments of language and speech patterns.

[{"selector":"#anim-7534da5f-a5ce-48d3-8f0a-fe7687a6dcc5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ab159e16-6d54-4adf-91b9-08c0e6ec0549","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ff627bf-c966-4d60-a622-7edc399ddce4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

It has shown an accuracy rate of 90% in distinguishing Alzheimer's patients from cognitively healthy individuals during initial trials.

[{"selector":"#anim-8b2da20d-e241-406d-910c-ad47238bc303","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ca2302f-8460-4946-af19-f8abdadedd8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11173479-6cb0-4f86-b27a-051b3310f282","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

CognoSpeak can be accessed through a web browser, allowing patients to take the test at home, reducing the burden on assessment services.

[{"selector":"#anim-7fb62bcb-3d3f-40fd-aad0-ae0b2c98eb03","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.45741%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-18352345-68be-4866-9b6e-7dfa37643417","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1358da34-6a12-4d5a-acc1-d03345b864c2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The tool is being extensively tested across UK memory clinics, aiming to involve 700 participants with the support of a £1.4 million grant from the NIHR.

[{"selector":"#anim-0a858d28-32e7-4c5b-b313-83eedd6de5da","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0eced208-2aa9-4990-ae42-8aa42f498361","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d85f1bf6-c0f4-4dba-a999-115c0775d0dc","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

By using artificial intelligence and speech technology, CognoSpeak analyzes language and speech patterns to detect early signs of dementia.

[{"selector":"#anim-2018e018-fd48-47fb-95e9-8f0cfcdfe802","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.45741%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-befb7276-d2cf-4ab3-a551-96094461e414","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4415dee3-66da-423d-a9f9-086b2d87a586","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

CognoSpeak's accessibility via web browser eliminates the need for pen-and-paper assessments, reducing stress and anxiety for patients.

[{"selector":"#anim-35e1e582-5ebe-4c97-862b-b9a6c745ecee","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-129ff73b-30ad-40dd-92d4-0a2bb21dbac4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bde2a5fe-a32d-40d9-bbe5-fa2b4903437f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The researchers behind CognoSpeak, Dr. Dan Blackburn and Professor Heidi Christensen, aim to speed up assessments, reduce waiting times, and ensure early access to specialist care.

[{"selector":"#anim-9a4c87fe-51ca-4af4-8944-6616974d407e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.06411%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f47c8847-ca00-48c8-a987-dd78b0895280","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5658119d-1a17-49d3-a5f7-6d9240c3db48","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]