An innovative digital strategy to combat cognitive deficits. Ranked first among more than 200 projects submitted at European level, the DORIAN GRAY project (Devising a personalized risk stratification and holistic management for prevention of cognitive impairment in patients with different cardiovascular phenotypes) aims to respond to the growing global challenge posed by cognitive deficits and prevent their progression to dementia by exploring the link between cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. The project aims to identify the mechanisms linking mild cognitive impairment to cardiovascular disease, developing an integrated approach to promote healthy, independent, and active living in older adults. The project involves significant synergy between the Cardiology and Neurology units, creating an important multidisciplinary framework for the secondary prevention of cognitive disorders. Thanks to the use of advanced artificial intelligence technologies and digital biomarkers, the project enables risk stratification and personalized treatment for the prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia. Among its innovative features, DORIAN GRAY will apply the concept of “brain health” to different populations, combining cognitive enhancement through digital therapy with a personalized interactive coaching system. The study will also conclude with an important multicenter European clinical validation phase on subjects at cardiological and neurological risk, coordinated by the ASST Spedali Civili units in Brescia, which are already actively involved in numerous primary and secondary prevention projects in the field of Brain Health and Healthy Aging.
According to forecasts, the results of the study could prevent up to 2 million cases of dementia in 27 years, with a cost reduction of 485 billion.
Coordinated by Professor Marco Metra, the research involves the cardiological, neurological, philosophical, and legal expertise of the University of Brescia. Contributing to the project are the Department of Medical-Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health (Prof. Marco Metra, Prof. Marianna Adamo, Dr. Mauro Massussi), the Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences (Prof. Alessandro Padovani, Prof. Andrea Pilotto, and Prof. Nicoletta Cusano), and the Department of Law (Prof. Simona Cacace). The project also involves 23 international partners, including prestigious academic institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and the Politecnico di Milano, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and world-renowned organizations such as the European Society of Cardiology and Alzheimer Europe.