AI Is Helping Russian Doctors Detect Dementia in Its Earliest Stages

A neural network developed by NtechLab can now identify early signs of dementia from brain scans—and it’s already being used in 12 Russian regions.

Russian doctors are now using artificial intelligence to detect dementia at its earliest stages by analyzing brain CT scans. The technology, developed by the Russian company NtechLab, has already been piloted and rolled out across 12 regions of the country.

The AI platform identifies early signs of dementia—often invisible to the human eye—enabling much earlier interventions. It can also detect multiple sclerosis and indicators of stroke. First launched in 2021, the system was officially approved by the Russian Ministry of Health as a medical device in 2024.

According to the World Health Organization, over 55 million people worldwide suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In Russia, the number is between 1.5 and 1.8 million. The global forecast is grim: by 2050, that number could grow to 139 million. Against this backdrop, the Russian-developed system offers a vital opportunity to transform early diagnosis and potentially slow the spread of the disease worldwide.