1.

Introduction:

The illness known as dementia impairs memory and brain function. It's among the biggest
problems with public health that the globe is now dealing with. It is anticipated that the
number of dementia sufferers would increase quickly as the global population ages. Families,
caregivers, and health care institutions are all under a great deal of strain as a result. As a
result, scientists and medical professionals have worked hard to create sophisticated
techniques for dementia risk assessment and prediction modelling. Early dementia detection
is intended to help those who are at risk of the disease obtain better individualized care,
preventative care, and early intervention.

2. Body:

Six studies on data-driven models of dementia risk prediction and sub-phenotype

identification utilizing various data sources were analysed in this brief literature review.
Based on the data sources used, the publications were categorized into three topics:
population-based information, electronic health records (EHR), and community health
information. In this review, we compared and contrasted the research within each subject and
described the findings of each study, along with their strengths and limitations.

2.1. Dementia Risk Prediction Using Community Health Data (Theme-1)

The first topic covers two new studies looking into how community health data can help
create predictive models for detecting and treating dementia early. Dementia affects many
people worldwide and can be disabling.

The first study, conducted by Shen et al. in 2020, used community health data from sixteen
health centers in Hong Kong to identify dementia risk. They created and tested their model,
which included various demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors that could influence
dementia. The model, employing a dual neural network architecture, successfully processed
both structured and unstructured data simultaneously, leading to improved accuracy with an
area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82.

In the second study, led by You et al. in 2022, the goal was to create a new model for
predicting dementia risk using machine learning techniques. They utilized longitudinal data
from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHRS) to develop and validate
their model. This extensive dataset allowed them to include a diverse population, spanning
various age groups, geographic regions, and socio-economic backgrounds. While You et al.
used a simpler machine learning model compared to the neural network used by Shen et al. in
2020, their approach still achieved high accuracy in predicting dementia risk.

Both studies demonstrate the promise of utilizing community health data to develop
predictive models for dementia risk. Their high accuracy rates indicate that such models can
be effective tools for early detection, intervention, and resource management in dementia
care. Additionally, community health data aids in identifying at-risk populations and enables
the development of targeted prevention strategies.
2.2. Subphenotype Discovery Using Electronic Health Records (Theme-2)

The second theme presents two innovative studies leveraging Electronic Health Record
(EHR) data to uncover sub-genotypes of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. These studies
aim to develop more personalized and targeted treatment approaches. By tapping into the
extensive datasets within EHRs, these research endeavors underscore the significance of
utilizing EHR data to enhance our understanding of dementia and guide clinical decision-
making.

In the first study led by Xu et al. in 2020, data-driven methods were employed to uncover
subtypes of probable Alzheimer's disease and related dementias using Electronic Health
Record (EHR) data. Analyzing a sizable dataset of over 20,000 patients from the Mayo
Clinic, the researchers identified three distinct subtypes, each characterized by unique clinical
and genetic features. This discovery sheds light on the varied nature of Alzheimer's and
related dementias, offering insights that could inform the development of personalized
treatment strategies.

In the second study conducted by Marra et al. in 2020, researchers utilized Electronic Health
Record (EHR) data to predict the onset of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. They
developed and validated a machine-learning model using data from the Rochester
Epidemiology Project. The model demonstrated encouraging results in early detection and
intervention capabilities

Both studies underscore the significant potential of EHR data in uncovering sub-phenotypes
and predicting dementia onset. However, it's important to acknowledge some limitations in
these studies.

Xu et al. (2020) identified three sub-phenotypes but didn't evaluate their predictive
performance, leaving doubts about the applicability of their findings. Marra et al. (2020),
while achieving high accuracy in predicting dementia onset, relied on a relatively small and
homogeneous population, potentially limiting the model's generalizability to more diverse
populations.

Despite these limitations, these studies indicate that EHR data can be valuable for data-driven
sub phenotype discovery and predicting dementia onset. By tapping into the wealth of
information within EHR data, researchers and clinicians can enhance their understanding of
dementia subtypes and associated risk factors. This insight can inform targeted prevention
and intervention strategies, ultimately improving dementia patient care.

2.3. Population-Based Data for Dementia Risk Prediction (Theme-3)

The third theme comprises two papers focusing on building data-driven models to predict
dementia risk using population data. These studies demonstrate the utilization of large
population datasets to enhance understanding of dementia risk factors and create predictive
models for informing targeted interventions and public health policies.

In the first study conducted by Tang et al. in 2020, simple dementia risk models were
compared with harmonized stroke cohorts to assess their predictive effectiveness. Using data
from 12 cohorts within the Vascular Impaired Cognition: classification and epidemiology
(VOICE), which encompassed patients with diverse levels of vascular cognitive impairment
(VCCI), the analysis revealed moderate to high predictive power of the models in estimating
dementia risk across the stroke cohorts. This indicates the potential of population-based data
in developing robust dementia risk models.

In the second study by Shen et al. in 2022, a machine learning model was employed to
forecast dementia risk using population-based data from the NHANES. This extensive dataset
offered insights into various demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors potentially
influencing dementia risk. The model demonstrated high accuracy in predicting dementia
risk, identifying several risk factors consistent with prior research.

Both studies underscore the potential of population-based data in informing data-driven

model development for dementia risk prediction. However, there are limitations to consider.
Tang et al. (2020) noted constraints due to data availability and quality, which could impact
the robustness and generalizability of their results. They emphasized the necessity for further
research to refine and validate models. Similarly, Shen et al. (2022) highlighted the
importance of validating their model across diverse populations and contexts, given their
reliance on data primarily from the US population in the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (NHANES).

3. Summary

In summary, the three topics showcase the utilization of community health data, electronic
health records (EHRs), and population-based data to develop data-driven models for
predicting dementia risk and uncovering sub-phenotypes. These studies demonstrate the
importance of leveraging diverse and extensive datasets to gain a deeper understanding of
dementia complexity, identify at-risk populations, and inform targeted interventions or public
health policies.

Community health data plays a crucial role in developing reliable predictive models for
dementia risk, as shown in the studies by Shen et al. (2020), You et al. (2022), and Xu et al.
(2020). Similarly, the significance of electronic health records in detecting and predicting
dementia sub phenotypes is emphasized in the studies by Marra (2020), Tang (2020), and
Shen (2022)

Despite limitations and challenges, these studies offer crucial insights into dementia risk
factors, variability, and complexity. Their findings can inform personalized and efficient
treatment approaches and guide the development of targeted prevention and intervention
strategies. By harnessing multiple data sources and advanced analytical techniques, scientists
and clinicians can further enhance the well-being of those at risk for dementia and their
families, ultimately alleviating the societal burden of dementia.

In conclusion, these themes underscore the importance of ongoing collaboration among

scientists, clinicians, and policymakers to maximize the potential of various data sources and
analytical methods in predicting dementia risk. By persistently refining and enhancing data-
driven models for dementia risk prediction and sub-phenotype discovery, the scientific
community can make substantial advancements in enhancing the quality of life for
individuals affected by dementia and their families. Furthermore, this collective effort can
inform more effective public health strategies and interventions for addressing the challenges
posed by dementia.

4. References

[1] Shen et al., Using dual neural network architecture to detect the risk of dementia with
community health data: Algorithm Development and Validation Study 2020

[2] You et al., Development of a novel dementia risk prediction model in the general
population: A large, longitudinal, population-based machine-learning study 2022

[3] Xu et al., data‐driven discovery of probable Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia
subphenotypes using electronic health records 2020

[4] Marra et al., Utilizing electronic medical record data to predict onset of alzheimer’s
disease and related Dementias 2020

[5] Tang et al., Assessing the predictive validity of simple dementia risk models in
harmonized stroke cohorts 2020

[6] Shen, L., et al. Machine learning model for dementia risk prediction using population-
based data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
2020