Neurologist uses AI to better predict how ALS progresses in different people

In Singapore, neurologist Crystal Yeo is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance the prediction of how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progresses differently in each patient. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a loss of muscle control.

Despite no definitive test for early identification, the disease varies widely in its course among individuals, making it difficult for doctors to anticipate its progression. Yeo's team at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) is using AI to analyze vast volumes of patient data to better predict how the disease develops in different people, aiming to provide tailored care and enable patients and their families to focus on what matters most.

The neurologist explained that ALS is "sporadic" and attributed to genetic, environmental, and toxin exposures, with the condition's biology being diverse. In Singapore, patients tend to experience earlier onset and live longer than those in Western countries, with ALS manifesting in various body parts such as hands, feet, and tongue.

Yeo's AI-driven approach uses machine learning models to identify top predictors of ALS progression, including clinical data such as blood tests, ALS clinical monitoring scores, nerve conduction study findings, and proteins and genes from patients’ motor neurons grown from stem cells. By validating these models across different populations, including Singapore, the team ensures the predictions' applicability worldwide.

The AI also aids in determining the most effective drugs or combinations for individual patients by analyzing signals in motor neurons grown from stem cells, allowing for personalized and timely treatment. After nine years living with ALS, Huang Jing Han, a former food technologist, is now adapting to her condition and focusing on making the most of each day.

Despite the initial fear of losing her three daughters, she has embraced her wheelchair and uses an eye tracker for technical analysis and day trading. Huang emphasizes cherishing each moment, remaining hopeful, and letting go of what was lost.