Alzheimer’s in the modern age: Ethical challenges in the use of digital monitoring to identify cognitive changes

ABSTRACT

Pushes toward earlier detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related cognitive changes are creating interest in leveraging technologies, like cellphones, that are already widespread and well-equipped for data collection to facilitate digital monitoring for AD. Studies are ongoing to identify and validate potential “digital biomarkers” that might indicate someone has or is at risk of developing AD dementia. Digital biomarkers for AD have potential as a tool in aiding more timely diagnosis, though more robust research is needed to support their validity and utility. While there are grounds for optimism, leveraging digital monitoring and informatics for cognitive changes also poses ethical challenges, related to topics such as algorithmic bias, consent, and data privacy and security. As we confront the modern era of Alzheimer's disease, individuals, companies, regulators and policymakers alike must prepare for a future in which our day-to-day interactions with technology in our daily life may identify AD-related cognitive changes.

KEYWORDS:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• cognition
• digital biomarkers
• ethics

Acknowledgments

This publication was supported by the National Institute of Aging (P30 AG073105 (AW and EAL) and the Greenwall Foundation (EAL).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Disclosures

None to report.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Greenwall Foundation and the National Institute on Aging [P30 AG073105].