AI retina screening identifies cognitive decline risk, CUHK to expand programme
A CUHK pilot programme using AI to analyse retina images identified 21 per cent of participants at higher risk of cognitive decline. Those who received personalised brain health advice showed improved cognitive function. The programme will expand to Wong Tai Sin in January 2027, aiming to serve 2,70
A pilot programme led by the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s (CUHK) medical school, in partnership with the Charles K. Kao Foundation, has used artificial-intelligence (AI) retina image analysis to identify residents at higher risk of cognitive decline. The team reported that about 21 per cent of 831 participants with normal cognitive function screened positive, indicating poorer cognitive performance.
Among 532 participants with one-year follow-up data, those who received personalised brain health management saw their average brain health score improve by 1.3 points, compared with a 0.2-point improvement in a control group that received only brain health education. The team said the results showed that personalised advice helped improve cognitive function.
The programme will expand into the community from January 2027, with services launching in Wong Tai Sin. The team aims to provide free brain health assessments and systematic dementia prevention support to 2,700 elderly residents over two years.