Health
AI fast-tracks dementia diagnoses by tapping into ‘hidden information’ in brain waves
As dementia becomes more widespread, Mayo Clinic researchers believe that artificial intelligence is the key to enabling earlier and faster diagnoses.
By pairing AI and EEG (electroencephalogram) tests, the team at the Mayo Clinic Neurology AI Program (NAIP) in Rochester, Minnesota, was able to identify specific types of dementia sooner than they would have through human analysis.
Based on these findings, EEGs could eventually provide a more accessible, less expensive and less invasive way to assess brain health earlier, according to a hospital press release.
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The research was published last week in the journal Brain Communications.
What is an EEG?
With an EEG, a technician attaches small metal electrodes to the patient’s scalp, which measure electrical activity in the brain.
The test produces a recording of wavy lines that represent the brain’s electrical impulses.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp. This activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording. (iStock)
It is primarily used to diagnose epilepsy, but can also be used to identify other brain conditions, according to Dr. David Jones, a practicing clinician specializing in behavioral neurology, who directs the artificial intelligence program at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
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The clinic performs thousands of EEGs each year to evaluate patients with neurological problems.
It’s been known for some time that brain wave patterns change in patients with dementia or cognitive problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease or Lewy body disease, Jones said in a phone interview with Fox News Digital.
“However, it takes a lot of specialized analysis, expertise and manual labor to extract that information, so Alzheimer’s and dementia are not routinely assessed on EEG.”
Tapping into ‘hidden information’
With this study, the researchers set out to find “hidden information” in patients’ brain waves using computer algorithms, without manual labor, Jones said.
The AI tool was built in-house at Mayo Clinic, trained on data from more than 11,000 patients who received EEGs over a decade-long period.
EEGs are primarily used to diagnose epilepsy, but they can also be used to identify other brain conditions. (iStock)
In analyzing complex brain waves, the model identified six specific patterns that appeared in patients with Alzheimer’s or Lewy body disease that were not found in those who had no cognitive trouble, according to Jones.
The correlation was confirmed by also looking at other measures, such as cognitive testing, blood biomarkers and brain PET scans.
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Overall, the AI tool decreased the EEG reading time by 50% and increased the accuracy of those readings “pretty significantly,” Jones said.
“This tells us that there is a lot of unused information in clinically acquired EEGs that we can extract automatically — and now we can begin to build better tools, algorithms and methods,” Jones said.
The team at the Mayo Clinic Neurology AI Program (NAIP) in Rochester, Minnesota, was able to identify specific types of dementia sooner than they would have with human analysis. (iStock)
It would be “very difficult” to perform this type of analysis at scale without AI or machine learning technology, according to the neurologist.
‘Significant leap forward’
Harvey Castro, a Dallas-based board-certified emergency medicine physician and national speaker on artificial intelligence in health care, was not involved in the study but referred to Mayo Clinic’s research as “a significant leap forward.”
“This technology can rapidly and precisely analyze brain wave patterns, identifying early signs of dementia often invisible to the human eye,” he told Fox News Digital.
“There is a lot of unused information in clinically acquired EEGs that we can extract automatically.”
As an ER doctor, Castro said he does not typically use EEGs due to the time required to interpret the results.
“However, AI technology allows for fast processing of large amounts of data, facilitating quicker, more informed decisions about a patient’s cognitive health,” he said.
“As a result, I can see this becoming a new tool for me to use in the ER.”
The end goal is to incorporate brain scans, blood work, cognitive tests and brain waves into “one complete model of brain health,” a researcher said. (iStock)
AI-driven EEG analysis could be a “game-changer” in rural and underserved areas, according to Castro.
“It provides a cost-effective, non-invasive method to screen for cognitive issues early, where advanced diagnostic tools like MRIs or PET scans are limited.”
Next steps
The ultimate goal is to include this AI-driven EEG analysis into a “multimodal” approach to dementia testing, according to Jones.
“That means being able to model brain scans, blood work, cognitive tests and brain waves into one complete model of brain health,” he told Fox News Digital.
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The next step is to implement the AI tool into routine clinical practice.
“So if you’re coming in and having an EEG for epilepsy or a sleep study, we’ll also simultaneously be able to tell you something about your cognitive health, and whether we see something that means you might need to see a behavioral neurologist,” Jones said.
There are still several years of research ahead before this technology becomes widely accessible, the researcher noted. (iStock)
In the future, the neurologist envisions EEGs becoming a “highly scalable and portable” technology, where people can even perform cognitive assessments remotely — “in the same way that you measure blood pressure or heart rate in your own home.”
There are still several years of research ahead before this technology becomes widely accessible, Jones noted.
Potential risks and limitations
Despite the benefits of this type of technology, Castro cautioned that there are challenges with integrating AI into clinical practice.
“While AI can provide valuable insights, the clinician’s expertise and empathy remain irreplaceable.”
“These include the need for substantial training for health care professionals to use these tools effectively and the potential for over-reliance on AI at the expense of clinical judgment,” he told Fox News Digital.
It’s also important to balance the use of AI with a “human touch,” Castro said.
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“While AI can provide valuable insights, the clinician’s expertise and empathy remain irreplaceable in delivering holistic patient care.”
Other considerations include ensuring patient data privacy, obtaining informed consent and working to prevent biases in AI algorithms, the doctor added.
In analyzing complex brain waves, the model identified six specific patterns that appeared in patients with Alzheimer’s or Lewy body disease that were not found in those who had no cognitive trouble. (iStock)
Jones, the Mayo Clinic neurologist, acknowledged that there are risks in relying too heavily on algorithms, but emphasized that the technology is designed using “real-world data for real-world use.”
“Its value is gauged by whether it’s helping us take care of our patients — that’s our focus.”
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The team is “well aware” of potential problems and takes steps to mitigate them, Jones told Fox News Digital.
“We follow good AI and machine learning practices as part of the ethos of our software design and the values of Mayo Clinic.”
New flu strain emerging as a severe health threat
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to warn of a new strain of the flu that is spiking hospitalizations across the country and newfound risks of medical marijuana’s link to psychosis.
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The New York State Department of Health reported a record surge in influenza activity, with 71,123 positive flu cases recorded statewide during the week ending December 20.
Health officials said the figure represents the highest number of flu cases ever reported in a single week since influenza became a reportable disease in New York in 2004.
State health data show the weekly total reflects a 38% increase from the previous reporting period, signaling a rapidly intensifying flu season.
There have been 189,312 reported positive flu cases so far this season, while influenza-related hospitalizations rose 63% in the most recent week.
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New York reported the highest weekly total of cases ever recorded since influenza became reportable in 2004. (iStock)
“We are seeing the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week in New York state,” Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a press release.
There have been 189,312 reported flu cases so far this season, with influenza-related hospitalizations increasing 63% in the most recent week. (iStock)
Earlier this month, the department declared influenza prevalent statewide, a designation that requires unvaccinated health care workers to wear masks in patient care settings.
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Health officials continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from influenza.
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New Yorkers who have not yet received a seasonal flu shot are still encouraged to do so, with experts saying vaccination can offer protection even later in the season.
Health officials continue to urge New Yorkers to take preventive steps, including vaccination and staying home when sick, to limit further spread. (iStock)
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To help limit further spread, the department advises individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms — including fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches — to stay home. State health officials also recommend frequent handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
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For those who become ill, officials say antiviral medications are available and are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Health officials also added that people at higher risk for complications should contact a health care provider promptly for evaluation and possible treatment.
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The department noted that flu activity typically peaks in January, meaning case counts could continue to climb in the weeks ahead.
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If the stress of the holidays wreaked havoc on your gut, you’re not alone — 76% of Americans experience gastrointestinal distress during the holiday season, according to a recent national survey from Oshi Health and YouGov.
Digestive problems can be triggered not only by holiday overeating, but also by stress. Financial worries, disrupted routines, fatigue and interpersonal dynamics rank as some of the top causes.
“I see an uptick in psychiatry-related GI issues during the holiday season,” Dr. Claire Brandon, a gastrointestinal psychiatrist based in New York City, told Fox News Digital. “When you are undergoing stress, your body produces more corticotropin-releasing hormones, which sets off a cascade of the inflammatory system.”
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Stress hormones can act directly on the gut, leading to more digestive distress and pushing the body out of “rest-and-digest mode,” Brandon said.
“Stress activates the sympathetic — fight, flight, freeze — nervous system, which slows digestion,” added Dr. David Clarke, an Oregon-based gastroenterologist and president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. “That can lead to bloating, cramps, nausea and sometimes abdominal pain.”
Stress often plays a bigger role in digestive issues than overeating alone, experts say. (iStock)
The good news, doctors say, is that a few simple, realistic steps can help reset the digestive system after the holidays.
No. 1: Reset your sleep
Sleep plays a major role in gut health. Research shows that insufficient or disrupted sleep can change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, potentially affecting metabolic and immune factors that influence overall health.
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“When I travel and get derailed, my main focus is to reset my sleep,” Brandon said. She recommends reestablishing wind-down routines like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
No. 2: Eat balanced, fiber-rich meals
Fiber helps keep digestion moving and supports healthy gut bacteria, which can aid post-holiday recovery, experts say.
“The usual principles for supporting digestion apply here,” said Clarke. “Consuming a balanced diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes; avoiding highly processed foods; and moderating alcohol will keep your gut microbiome happy.”
Digestive symptoms like bloating and discomfort often spike during the holidays due to stress, travel and disrupted routines. (iStock)
No. 3: Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated will also aid digestion, Clarke said, noting that light-colored urine is a good indicator of hydration.
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Traveling can be particularly tough on the gut, experts say, especially during flights where low cabin humidity causes the body to pull water from the bowels, leading to constipation.
Drinking water before, during, and after flights — and limiting alcohol and caffeine — can help counteract dehydration-related digestive slowdowns. Experts also recommend sipping water consistently throughout the day.
No. 4: Resume regular movement
Both doctors agreed that exercise supports digestion and stress regulation, which are both key to gut recovery.
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“Going on walks can be enough to help with this, but if you have space to do more, including some gentle stretching, that can be a huge help,” Brandon advised.
No. 5: Reduce stress gradually
Stress management plays a critical role in gut health, and experts say that small, consistent habits can help ease gastrointestinal symptoms.
Brandon recommends calming the nervous system with breathing or grounding exercises and slowing down at meals.
Light movement can help support digestion and regulate stress, experts say. (iStock)
“If you’re constantly running on fumes, on a layover in the airport, eating high sugar and doing things off your routine, expect a few disruptions with your gut,” she said. “Reframe it as something that you can reset when you get home.”
No. 6: Skip cleanses and detoxes
Clarke says that detoxes and cleanses are not necessary and can actually be harmful. Instead, he recommends sticking to the basics — including hydration, balanced meals, regular sleep and movement.
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Doctors say the gut is designed to recover on its own in response to consistently healthy practices rather than extreme resets.
Experts recommend returning to balanced, fiber-rich meals instead of intense cleanses. (iStock)
While short-lived symptoms can improve within hours and are usually temporary, experts say lingering or worsening issues shouldn’t be ignored.
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“If you are back home and struggling to feel your usual baseline while back on your routine, it’s probably worth checking in with your physician,” Brandon advised.
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Regular exercise may do more than strengthen the heart. It could also reprogram the nerves that control how the heart beats, new research has found.
The discovery could eventually help doctors better treat common conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, angina and stress-related “broken-heart” syndrome, according to scientists at the University of Bristol in the U.K.
The study, which looked at lab rats trained over 10 weeks, found that moderate exercise does not affect the heart’s nerve control system evenly. Instead, it produces distinct and opposing changes on the left and right sides of the body. a split researchers say has gone largely unnoticed until now.
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“The discovery points to a previously hidden left–right pattern in the body’s ‘autopilot’ system that helps run the heart,” Dr. Augusto Coppi, the study’s lead author and a senior lecturer in veterinary anatomy at the University of Bristol, said in a statement.
Regular exercise may “rewire” the nerves that control the heart, the new study found. (iStock)
“This could help explain why some treatments work better on one side than the other and, in the future, help doctors target therapies more precisely and effectively,” Coppi added.
After 10 weeks of aerobic exercise, the researchers examined the animals’ heart control nerves and found left–right differences that did not appear in inactive rats, according to the research published in the journal Autonomic Neuroscience in September.
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On the right side, the nerve hub that sends “go faster” signals to the heart developed many more nerve cells, suggesting increased wiring. On the left side, however, the number of nerve cells did not rise as much. Instead, the existing cells grew significantly larger, indicating a different kind of adaptation.
The findings could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other. (iStock)
The findings show that exercise reshapes the heart’s nerve control system in a side-specific way rather than affecting both sides equally, the researchers said. Understanding that process could help doctors better target treatments, especially for patients who cannot exercise or whose symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes.
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Researchers compared the nerve clusters, known as the stellate ganglia, to a “dimmer switch” that fine-tunes how strongly the heart is stimulated. That fine-tuning is important because overstimulation of these nerves is linked to chest pain and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Scientists caution more studies are needed to determine whether the same effects occur in humans. (iStock)
The findings are early stage and based on animal research, however. So, they do not prove the same effects in people. More studies are needed before they could affect patient care.
Researchers say future studies will explore whether similar left–right nerve changes occur in people and whether they could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other, potentially paving the way for more precise, personalized care for angina and heart rhythm disorders.
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The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from University College London, the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil.
Researchers discovered distinct left-right changes in heart-control nerves after 10 weeks of aerobic exercise. (iStock)
The findings add to growing evidence that regular, moderate exercise benefits the heart in ways scientists are beginning to understand better.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.
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