Early dementia screening with AI-driven innovation
Cognes Medical Solutions is developing a screening solution to identify subtle facial markers associated with early-stage dementia. The solution builds on 30 years of research in facial recognition. Through advanced AI and machine learning, the tool analyzes patterns and anomalies in facial features that can provide clinicians and researchers with critical insights to improve patients' health and quality of life.
- “With our tool, we can not only detect dementia early but also potentially save the healthcare system up to 1,000,000 SEK per patient,” says Sandra Challma, CEO of Cognes Medical Solutions. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to enhance quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.”
Sandra Challma has a deep and personal connection to her work. Her mother was diagnosed with dementia after a prolonged process that took over two years. This experience sparked her passion for improving diagnostics, leading to the development of an innovative solution for early dementia screening. Drawing on emerging research in AI and facial recognition, Cognes Medical Solutions has developed a machine learning model to analyze facial features, creating a tool that could transform the healthcare sector.
Potential to save resources and improve healthcare
Dementia is a growing challenge. In Sweden, approximately 150,000 people are currently living with a dementia diagnosis, with 20,000 new cases each year. The condition costs the Swedish healthcare system around 83 billion SEK annually, yet early-stage dementia is still poorly identified and managed. Cognes Medical Solutions estimates that identifying just 10% of new cases earlier could save the healthcare system 2 billion SEK over two years.
In Sweden alone, around 83 billion SEK is spent annually on dementia care, and with the increasing number of cases, the need for early detection and efficient care is more critical than ever. Sandra believes that if they can identify 10% of at-risk patients, they could save 2 billion SEK annually by extending patients' quality of life by two years.
- “By extending patients' quality of life by two years, we can make a substantial difference,” Sandra explains. “We are the first company to commercialize this type of research, and we have already attracted significant international interest.”
Democratizing healthcare and making a global impact
One of Cognes’ biggest challenges has been mobilizing researchers to address the root of the problem. Dementia research has historically been underprioritized, often dismissed as a natural part of aging. However, Sandra emphasizes that dementia is a preventable, life-threatening disease.
The next step for Cognes is to conduct clinical studies and expand their research network to enhance data collection and validate their tool. Sandra envisions a promising future for the company, both in Sweden and internationally.
- “We are actively working to spread knowledge about dementia and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease,” Sandra states. “Innovative digital solutions can democratize healthcare and make a global impact.”