The Mind Guardian: A video game to detect cognitive decline

Early detection of cognitive decline is a crucial challenge in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. With the aim of To facilitate accessible early screening, Samsung has launched The Mind Guardian, an application that uses techniques of Artificial intelligence and gamification to assess memoryThis tool is part of an innovative strategy that seeks to optimize the detection of cognitive problems.

Developed in collaboration with the University of Vigo and the Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, this video game allows people over 55 years old perform a self-assessment of your memory from home with 97% accuracy. Its innovative approach seeks to eliminate barriers associated with conventional medical consultations, offering a simple and intuitive alternative to evaluate our mental health.

How does The Mind Guardian work?

The application structures its test in Three games specifically designed to assess different aspects of memory:

• Episodic memory: Images are presented and the user must recall them later in an interactive environment.
• Semantic memory: It measures the ability to remember concepts and meanings acquired over time.
• Procedural memory: Through a coordination exercise, memory related to task execution is assessed.

El The entire process takes approximately 45 minutes and, at the end, the Artificial intelligence analyzes the results to generate a preliminary reportIf a possible risk of cognitive decline is detected, the app suggests repeating the test in six months or consulting a specialist for a more thorough evaluation, reflecting a proactive use of technology in healthcare.

A project with years of research

The development of The Mind Guardian is based on previous studies conducted by the atlanTTic Telematics Systems Engineering Group (GIST), who has worked since 2009 in the application of digital technologies to promote healthy aging. For years, researchers have tested different combinations of games and machine learning algorithms until they established a reliable tool for detecting cognitive decline.

Clinical trials have included the participation of associations of relatives of Alzheimer's patients, who have validated the video game's usefulness in real-life settings. The Spanish Society of Neurology and the Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health have endorsed the effectiveness of this tool in screening for cognitive impairment, highlighting the importance of projects like this in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.

Benefits of early detection

Detect the first signs of cognitive decline can make a significant difference in patients' quality of life. According to experts, early identification of symptoms allows for:

• Access to treatments in early stages, when they can still slow the progression of the disease.
• Modify lifestyle habits to promote cognitive health, such as physical exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining active social relationships.
• Reduce anxiety generated by uncertainty, providing people with valuable information about their cognitive state.

Tools like The Mind Guardian not only do they promote early detection, but they also They help raise awareness about the importance of maintaining adequate mental health.

An accessible and free tool

One of the main advantages of The Mind Guardian It is available at no cost to the user. It is available for Android tablets on the Play Store and Galaxy Store, ensuring broad and easy access for users interested in their cognitive health.

In addition to its clinical accuracy, the game has been designed to be intuitive and easy to use, removing any potential technological barriers for older adults. reduces the need for trips to medical centers simply to carry out an initial screening, aligning with other initiatives that seek to improve the quality of life of older people.

With 800.000 people affected by Alzheimer's in Spain, initiatives like this seek to facilitate access to preventive tools that allow to improve the quality of life of patients and their familiesEarly detection remains one of the fundamental keys in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases, and technology is playing a decisive role in this process.