Galician researchers predict the evolution of patients with multiple sclerosis using AI

Translational Research in Neurological Diseases (ITEN) Group IDIS (Santiago) and IIS Southern Galicia (Vigo) are collaborating on a study that has just been published in a prestigious scientific journal. Plos One And? explores multiple sclerosis (MS) and its evolution using artificial intelligence.

According to the first MRI data of patients with MS obtained from the Neurological Service of the city of Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostelathe program uses Artificial intelligence will be able to predict the evolution of these patients in 10 years in a very precise way, with almost 90% certaintyThe study analyzed a total of 446 records of affected individuals over a follow-up period of at least one year.

This machine learning model predicts disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis using baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data and clinical assessments using the Expanded Disability Status Scale.

“The paper proposes new models for describing patients’ progress using artificial intelligence programs that predict their trajectories using these descriptors and, in addition, gives us an idea of What factors contribute to this evolution?for example, the age of onset or injury,” he explains. Silvia Campagnionithe first author of the work.

The study will therefore allow for the optimization of the dosage of MS treatment in terms of dose and duration of treatment, as well as the optimization of its use depending on each patient’s profile or treatment methods, while improving the trajectory through the use of individual drugs. ML Predictors

Age of onset and traumatic brain injury

As for the most notable findings, the study found that “age of debut” This is one of the most influential characteristics of the developed regressor models.

Besides, number of traumatic brain injuries A value greater than or equal to 9 in the original MRI was found to be the most influential variable in the classifier model decisions.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease that causes demyelination and accumulation of long-term disability. In MS, the leading role is played by autoreactive activation of adaptive immunity. Although the cause of the disease is unknownEverything points to an interaction between genes and environmental risk factors, viruses and lifestyle.

The 2020 MS Atlas shows that there are about 3,800 patients diagnosed in Galicia and 55,000 in Spain, with a prevalence of 75% in women and average diagnosis at 32 years..