MR Image Feature Analysis for Alzheimer’s Disease Detection Using Machine Learning Approaches

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurological disorder, predominantly impacts cognitive functions, manifesting as memory loss and deteriorating thinking abilities. Recognized as the primary form of dementia, this affliction subtly commences within brain cells and gradually aggravates over time. In 2023, dementia's financial burden for elderly adults aged 65 and older was projected to reach $345 billion, encompassing health care, long-term care, and hospice services. Alarmingly, Alzheimer's disease claims one in three seniors, outnumbering combined fatalities from breast and prostate cancer. Currently, the diagnostic landscape for Alzheimer's lacks definitive tests, and diagnoses based purely on biological definitions have been observed to possess low predictive accuracy. In the presented study, a diagnostic methodology has been proposed using machine learning models that harness image features derived from brain MRI scans. Specifically, nine salient image features, grounded in color, texture, shape, and orientation, were extracted for the study. Four classifiers -Naïve-Bayes, Logistic regression, XGBoost, and AdaBoost -were employed, as the challenge presented a binary classification scenario. A grid search parameter optimization technique was employed to fine-tune model configurations, ensuring optimal predictive outcomes. Conducted experiments utilizing the Kaggle dataset, and for each model, parameters were rigorously optimized. The XGBoost classifier demonstrated superior performance, achieving a test accuracy of 92%, while Naïve Bayes, Logistic Regression, and AdaBoost registered accuracies of 63%, 70%, and 72%, respectively. Relative to contemporary methods, the proposed diagnostic approach exhibits commendable accuracy in predicting AD. If AI-based predictive diagnostics for AD are realized using the strategies delineated in this study, significant benefits may be anticipated for healthcare practitioners.