Smartphone-based detection of subtle memory decline in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease - Report - MDSpire

Smartphone-based detection of subtle memory decline in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease

  • By

  • Sarah E. Polk

  • Lindsay R. Clark

  • Kristin Basche

  • Luca Kleineidam

  • Wenzel Glanz

  • Michaela Butryn

  • Robert Perneczky

  • Katharina Buerger

  • Klaus Fliessbach

  • Christoph Laske

  • Annika Spottke

  • Anja Schneider

  • Jens Wiltfang

  • Stefan Teipel

  • Claudia Bartels

  • Ayda Rostamzadeh

  • Daniel Janowitz

  • Boris-Stephan Rauchmann

  • Ingo Kilimann

  • Sebastian Sodenkamp

  • Marie Coenjaerts

  • Frederic Brosseron

  • Michael Wagner

  • Ingo Frommann

  • Melina Stark

  • Matthias Schmid

  • Björn H. Schott

  • Sterling C. Johnson

  • Frank Jessen

  • Emrah Düzel

  • David Berron

  • June 10, 2026

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Clinical Report: Digital Assessment via Smartphones Identifies Early Memory Impairment

Overview

This study demonstrates that remote digital cognitive assessments can effectively detect early cognitive decline in individuals with prodromal Alzheimer's disease. Significant differences in memory performance were observed between cognitively unimpaired individuals and those with mild cognitive impairment over a 30-week period.

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses significant challenges in early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline. Traditional neuropsychological assessments often lack the sensitivity to detect subtle changes in memory function over short periods. The integration of digital cognitive assessments may enhance the ability to monitor cognitive decline more effectively, which is crucial for timely clinical management and intervention.

Data Highlights

GroupChange in Familiarity-Dependent TaskChange in Memory Precision
Cognitively Unimpaired (CU)Less declineLess decline
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)Greater declineGreater decline in Aβ+ group

Key Findings

  • Frequent remote cognitive assessments can detect cognitive decline within 30 weeks.
  • The MCI group exhibited greater decline in familiarity-dependent memory tasks compared to the CU group.
  • Stratification by beta-amyloid status revealed significant differences in memory performance.
  • A correlation exists between changes in remote assessments and multi-year in-person neuropsychological assessments.
  • Digital cognitive testing may improve the reliability and sensitivity of cognitive decline measurements.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that integrating remote digital cognitive assessments into clinical practice could enhance early detection of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. This approach may facilitate timely interventions and better monitoring of treatment responses.

Conclusion

Remote digital cognitive assessments represent a promising advancement in the early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, potentially improving patient outcomes through timely clinical management.

Related Resources & Content

  1. DIGITAL HEALTH, SAGE Journals, 2026 -- Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment for mild cognitive impairment
  2. Frontiers in Digital Health, 2026 -- Evaluating Verbal and Spatial Memory Using Smartphone Technology
  3. npj Digital Medicine, 2025 -- Smartphone-based prediction of dopaminergic deficit in prodromal and manifest Parkinson’s disease
  4. Revised criteria for the diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer’s disease | Nature Medicine, 2024
  5. Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease | New England Journal of Medicine, 2023
  6. Frontiers in Psychiatry — Feasibility of smartphone app-based neuropsychological tasks for screening people with subclinical depression and anxiety: a preliminary validation study
  7. Revised criteria for the diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer’s disease | Nature Medicine
  8. Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease | New England Journal of Medicine
  9. A remote digital memory composite to detect cognitive impairment in memory clinic samples in unsupervised settings using mobile devices | npj Digital Medicine

Original Source(s)

Smartphone-based detection of subtle memory decline in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease

  • by Sarah E. Polk, Lindsay R. Clark, Kristin Basche, Luca Kleineidam, Wenzel Glanz, Michaela Butryn, Robert Perneczky, Katharina Buerger, Klaus Fliessbach, Christoph Laske, Annika Spottke, Anja Schneider, Jens Wiltfang, Stefan Teipel, Claudia Bartels, Ayda Rostamzadeh, Daniel Janowitz, Boris-Stephan Rauchmann, Ingo Kilimann, Sebastian Sodenkamp, Marie Coenjaerts, Frederic Brosseron, Michael Wagner, Ingo Frommann, Melina Stark, Matthias Schmid, Björn H. Schott, Sterling C. Johnson, Frank Jessen, Emrah Düzel, David Berron

  • June 10, 2026

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