Philips and icometrix advance precision diagnosis in neurology with innovative AI-based imaging solutions at \#RSNA24

The introduction of new drugs that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s emphasizes the critical role of MRI in patient management. By leveraging advanced MRI techniques, neurologists can identify the most suitable candidates for these therapies, ensuring timely and personalized treatment. AI's ability to extract quantitative measurements from brain scans enhances the diagnostic process, enabling quicker decision making and improved monitoring of disease progression. This integration of technology increases efficiency for healthcare providers and leads to more tailored treatment.

“Our icobrain imaging AI measures are rapidly becoming the standard of care for diagnosis and monitoring of neurological conditions,” said Wim Van Hecke, CEO of icometrix. “MRI quantification is crucial to unlock precision medicine, especially in the Alzheimer’s disease care pathway, which is why our partnership with Philips is so well timed. We have developed the leading AI solutions for brain MRI monitoring, received CPT III code reimbursement in the US, and we will be able to support radiologists, neurologists, and people with neurological conditions at scale through this collaboration.”

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60% to 70% of the 55 million dementia cases worldwide [2], with more than 150 million people likely to be living with dementia, predominantly Alzheimer’s, by 2050 [3]. With the introduction of monoclonal antibody drugs that break down the amyloid protein deposits in the brain that are believed to be the cause of Alzheimer’s, MRI is now crucial as a part of the diagnostics process as well as to assess treatment effectiveness and help avoid adverse side effects. The latest guidelines for using these drugs involve a minimum of four separate MRI scans during the first year of treatment. High caseloads and the global shortage of neuroradiologists – coupled with the time-consuming nature of manual image reading and difficulty in extracting consistent quantitative measurements – is already putting a severe burden on radiology departments.

In addition to icometrix’s icobrain dm software for differential dementia diagnosis, the solution also includes the company’s icobrain ARIA software [4]. The only FDA-cleared solution that is classified as computer-aided detection and diagnosis, Icobrain ARIA can detect and grade the severity of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. Icobrain ARIA quantifies, in a fully automated way, the extent of a potentially fatal side effect of anti-amyloid drugs known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) – typically fluid buildup in the brain or blood leakage into brain tissue. Monitoring ARIA over the course of therapy allows neurologists to adjust a patient’s therapy to minimize these side effects.

Philips’ latest BlueSeal MR scanners are delivered with standardized AI-based SmartExam planning and AI-accelerated SmartSpeed protocols to image ARIA quickly and easily. Philips unique Smart Reading software [4] also allows end-to-end seamless integration of imaging protocols with the icometrix icobrain ARIA software to deliver fast, fully automated, quantitative outcomes for Alzheimer’s patients.  Integrated into Philips’ healthcare informatics platform, these breakthrough AI-driven diagnostic and therapy monitoring capabilities fit seamlessly into radiology MR workflows and hospital PACS.

To ensure more confident diagnosis of MS, new clinical guidelines have been introduced that include a special MR imaging protocol and FLAIR* generation in Philips Advanced Visualization Workspace to simultaneously create high-quality images of white matter lesions and veins. Philips is currently the only commercial supplier of MR scanners that can perform FLAIR* imaging. icometrix icobrain ms, also seamlessly integrates on the Philips MR scanner and Philips AI Manager. It counts the number of white-matter lesions forming around veins – a characteristic highly specific to MS and it also allows for longitudinal and quantitative comparison of follow-up MRI exams, which are essential for treatment decision-making.