Multidimensional digital biomarker of cognitive health: unobtrusive and continuous monitoring of cognitive changes using smartphones

Abstract

Background. Cognitive functionality is a critical determinant of quality of life. Acquired cognitive impairment associated with aging, neurocognitive disorders, like Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injury, pose major challenges to healthcare systems throughout the world.Depending on etiology, cognitive impairment may start in early and middle adulthood, with between 3.1% and 21% of the global population suffering from cognitive impairment depending on age and location. The number of dementia cases alone is expected to reach 115 million by 2050. Yet, cognitive impairments are typically detected late in the decline. Positive diagnoses are often so late in the process that there is not much that can be done. Hence, early detection of and intervention are necessary to intervene as well as to develop effective treatments.