AI-Based Predictive Modelling of the Onset and Progression of Dementia

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Summary

The paper focuses on the problem of dementia, the most severe expression of cognitive impairment. This work is developed within the framework of the LETHE European project and it aims at implementing an ICT-based multidomain, preventive lifestyle intervention program based on passive and active data collection and modeling. Authors propose the use of AI and machine learning methods to build suitable prediction models, tackling also aspects related to security and privacy.

Strong aspects 

The authors propose an interesting solution to an open problem, which can contribute to the development of eHealth services related to severe diseases. This paper presents a global architecture and approach to leverage data collection and processing in order to predict the potential onset of dementia. The work is well structured and provides a comprehensive overview of the problem, both from the medical and the technological viewpoint.

Weak aspects

The paper does not focus enough on the state of the art related to alternative approaches other than global frameworks. Authors should also mention smart prototypes and solutions targeting the identification of specific early symptoms.
On the one hand, the paper describes in detail the structure and approach of the proposed architecture, and the motivation behind the implementative choices. On the other hand, authors do not provide any experimental nor simulative results related to the solution presented in this work.

Recommended changes

The paper would be further improved with the addition of some experimental results related to the proposed solution, providing some evidence of the potential of this approach.

Concerning the state of the art authors include only works related to global architectures and approaches targeting the prediction of dementia.
Authors should also include literature related to smart prototypes and solutions aimed at preventing dementia by identifying specific early symptoms associated to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. For instance:

•  "Leveraging IoT Wearable Technology Towards Early Diagnosis of Neurological Diseases," doi: 10.1109/JSAC.2020.3021573
• "Detecting Cognitive Decline in Early Alzheimer’s Patients Using Wearable Technologies," doi: 10.1109/ICHI48887.2020.9374303
• "Design and implementation of wearable medical monitoring system on the internet of things," doi: 10.1007/s12652-021-03257-y

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

thanks a lot for the valuable comments and suggestions. We have already further updated the manuscript on systems and architectures of IoT and mHealth set up in relation to dementia.

Please check the revision and let us know if the adaptions are appropriate or if further editing is requested. 

Best regards 

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper is a very important and impressive results of collaboration between a number of European countries. The paper presents some overall findings and the system architecture of their AI-based predictive modelling of the onset and progression of dementia. Their project details relationships between collection of behaviors and medical data as a part of the overall implementation architecture. 

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

thanks a lot for your valuable review and comment!

Best regards 

Reviewer 3 Report

This is a large scale design for artificial intelligence based prediction and prevention models for dementia in modern population. It is delivered from complex multifactorial input of risk factors and their management in terms of health promotion and prevention of cognitive decline by improvement of the life style. The manuscript may benefit from further consideration in the introduction of other ICT based (or computational) interventions in the control of dementia, such as (not limited to): https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-28832-014

Author Response

Dear reviewer,

thanks a lot for your helpful comments and advice.

We further edited the manuscript and integrated some more references on ICT intervention and IoT and mHealth setup in relation to dementia.

Thanks a lot!

Kind regards