It is estimated that more than 55 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia, a number expected to grow rapidly.

The NEURii collaboration aimed to translate healthcare data and digital sciences into projects that can enhance the quality of life of people living with dementia and contribute to a national data infrastructure in the UK.

Programme overview

NEURii was an innovative pilot programme involving Eisai, Gates Ventures, HDR UK, LifeArc, and The University of Edinburgh. It aimed to bring digital solutions to market, using routinely collected health data to complement approved treatment options for dementia.

NEURii used high-quality, real-world data alongside artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to deliver projects that have the potential to make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives while maintaining data security and public trust. The impact of these projects was measured to explore further opportunities to scale up digital health efforts across the UK and beyond.

The programme comprised of three ‘pathfinder’ projects focused on using speech, eye, and brain scan data to predict neurodegeneration, using AI methods and algorithms.

  • NEURii explored the use of data and digital solutions to complement approved treatment options for dementia and solve issues related to the prediction, prevention, management, and treatment of dementia.

    NEURii was comprised of three initial projects – all utilising pre-existing population-level data unique to the Scottish NHS – during an initial two-year pilot phase. These projects explored innovative digital tools that integrate a range of non-invasive digital biomarkers with existing health data, which is then processed by artificial intelligence algorithms. 

  • NEURii used high-quality data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to deliver initial pilot projects that included: 

    • A digital speech bank and speech-based real-time digital assessment tool to detect neurodegeneration
    • Development of a diagnostic tool for predicting future risk of and diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases using hospital and community eye scan data
    • Development of digital biomarkers of healthy ageing and neurodegenerative disease using nationally collected MRI scan image data