Accelerating Innovations for Enhanced Brain Health. Can Artificial Intelligence Advance New Pathways for Drug Discovery for Alzheimer's and other Neurodegenerative Disorders?
A.S. Khachaturian, Andreas Dengel, V. Dočkal, P. Hroboň, M. Tolar
Abstract
Artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ ML) offers new solutions to untangle the complexity involved in discovery of new intervention targets for neurodegenerative disorders T he International Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Center (INDRC), a private, non-profit research institute, based in Prague, Czech Republic was established to address the challenges facing the identification and validation of new interventions for neurodegenerative disorders.This perspective describes the INDRC use of a transparent governance model that includes committed international partners from the European Union and North America comprising universities, research institutes, clinical centers, and for-profit/non-profit companies.The Institute applies artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) to develop novel and integrated analytical methods from many different disciplines including basic neuroscience, applied/theoretical biophysics/biochemistry, computer science, computer/electrical engineering, mathematics, and clinical/population-based research.INDRC is interdisciplinary by design, addressing research bottlenecks and enabling convergence of dispersed knowledge, and developing new analytical approaches to discover and model the non-linear dynamics between biology, disease, man, and environment.The first scientific initiative of the Institute is to address the major public health demand for improved understanding of biology of neurodegeneration and new interventions to treat neurodegenerative diseases.The search for effective interventions remains slow due to lack of understanding of the complex inter-relationship of brain structure and brain function, as well as limited knowledge of the precise pathogenic pathways that impair or destroy neurons and their connections.A key obstacle to the development of new therapies is understanding the complex non-linear networked relationships between the behavioral and clinical