AI for Brain Health
How can technology support the health of our brains? In recent years, artificial intelligence has enabled significant advances in brain health prevention and monitoring. One of the most relevant topics in this context is the impact of lifestyle on brain morphology—volume, weight, and functions—and how AI can help us understand these effects. We discussed this with Prof. Nicola De Stefano, Professor of Neurology at the Department of Medical, Surgical, and Neuroscience Sciences, University of Siena; Director of the Neurology Unit, Santa Maria Le Scotte Hospital in Siena; Director of the Neurology Specialty School at the University of Siena; and Leader of Spoke 6 of THE.
*Precision Medicine and Personalized Therapy. Spoke 6 aims to develop a personalized approach to disease management, with a special focus on precision medicine. The goal is to tailor the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic pathways for each patient, adapting to individual specificities rather than applying a uniform treatment. This approach considers each patient’s unique characteristics (e.g., age, lifestyle, genetics) to offer customized treatments. This is particularly relevant for chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, where symptom severity can vary widely among patients.
Predictive Biomarkers. The development and use of biomarkers allow for the classification of patients based on their phenotypes, or observable characteristics, even when affected by the same disease. Stratification improves diagnosis, prognosis, and specific treatments for different patient types.
AI, Lifestyle, and Impact on the Brain. Artificial intelligence makes it possible to detect early signs of cognitive decline or changes in brain health that may be influenced by lifestyle. By analyzing large amounts of data, AI can identify patterns and predict future risks, suggesting personalized interventions. This preventive approach enables more precise monitoring of brain changes and helps identify targeted strategies to preserve brain function over time.
In recent years, numerous studies have used brain imaging to analyze the impact of various factors, such as age, diet, physical activity, and other variables, on brain morphology. For instance, studies involving hundreds of thousands of healthy individuals of different ages have established “averages” for brain size and volume across adult, child, female, and male populations and in specific conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or physical activity. These studies have helped define what can be considered “normal” in terms of brain volume or weight, similar to health measures like blood sugar or cholesterol. This data is essential for providing personalized recommendations to improve brain health, suggesting specific healthy behaviors based on the brain’s individual response.
There is a clear influence of lifestyle on brain structure and functions. For example, smoking cigarettes or chronic alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts, has a strong impact on brain morphology.
