Researchers Colin Groot and Lianne Reus from Amsterdam UMC and Alzheimercentrum Nederland are developing an AI model to improve dementia diagnosis. In 2025, we asked for your support for this research. Thanks to our donors, Colin and Lianne are able to carry out the costly analyses their work depends on.
Translation of the Dutch text by Jasmijn van Holsteijn
The project brings together Colin and Lianne’s different areas of expertise. Colin focuses on neuroimaging, while Lianne studies (epi)genetics. They are combining data from brain scans, cerebrospinal fluid, genetics and epigenetics in a single database. Using an AI model, they are looking for patterns associated with different forms of dementia. This could help doctors make a diagnosis, particularly in people whose disease progresses or presents differently from what is usually expected.
They also hope to gain a better understanding of why dementia develops differently from one patient to another. ‘Even when people have the same form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia, we see considerable differences between patients,’ Lianne explains.
From blood samples to data
A year ago, Lianne was still collecting blood samples for the study. She is now almost ready to start working with the genetic data. ‘The blood samples have arrived at the lab, and I expect to have the data to analyse soon. I’m really looking forward to that,’ says Lianne. ‘That’s what all the work is ultimately for.’
Colin’s MRI scans were already available last year. They are being continuously processed into data that researchers can use. Data from other types of scans are also being prepared for analysis. An FDG scan, for example, shows how much glucose different areas of the brain use. This provides information about how active those areas are.
What our donors make possible
Support from donors makes it possible to carry out costly analyses. It enables Colin and Lianne to measure changes around the DNA and to analyse blood for a large number of proteins that may be linked to different forms of dementia.
For the latter study, blood is collected, with consent, from people visiting an eye clinic for cataracts or another eye condition. Some eye conditions are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. ‘By looking at whether certain proteins are elevated in the blood, we hope to identify signs of dementia at a very early stage,’ Colin explains. ‘Before someone develops clear symptoms.’ Early detection is particularly important because treatments may be more effective if patients are able to start them sooner.
Towards the first results
Over the coming year, Lianne plans to use the genetic data to look for new risk factors for dementia. She also wants to investigate how these are related to other patient characteristics.
The researchers also aim to develop and train the AI model further. To do this, they hope to recruit someone with extensive expertise in AI technology through a fellowship. If successful, they hope to be able to present the first preliminary results within a year.
A thank you to our donors
Donor support not only enables Colin and Lianne to carry out costly analyses, but also gives them more time to focus on the research itself rather than on applying for funding. ‘Thanks to this support, we can concentrate on what really matters: doing science,’ says Lianne. ‘That’s something I would like to thank our donors for.’
Colin adds that scientific progress is not always immediately visible. ‘There is always a great deal going on under the bonnet.’
Step by step, Colin and Lianne are working towards their goal: better dementia diagnoses, so that people living with dementia can receive the care that is right for them.
21 September 2026 is World Alzheimer’s Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness around the world of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This year’s theme is ‘I’ll keep taking part’.