BRAINIAC hub receives £20 million for AI dementia clinics

The University of Exeter will lead a £20 million research hub developing AI and data systems to detect dementia earlier, according to the BBC. The six year BRAINIAC project will receive £10 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, with another £10 million from industry, charity and NHS partners.

The project will combine brain imaging, genetics, blood biomarkers and digital cognitive tests to create a single assessment of brain health. It brings together 11 universities and 10 NHS sites, with the first clinics due to open in 2029 for patients referred by the NHS.

BRAINIAC plans to make assessment and diagnosis 30% to 50% faster and identify more than 40% of assessed patients who are at risk before symptoms appear. The clinics will also provide personalised plans intended to reduce dementia risk.