UB develops an eye-tracking technology for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease
The University of Barcelona (UB) has developed a new patented technology for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease through a platform that analyses users’ eye movements to identify digital biomarkers associated with the early stages of the disease.
The innovation, developed by the research group led by Hans Supèr, ICREA Research Professor at the University of Barcelona, is called PreventAD and uses eye-tracking and pupillometry technology to detect brain alterations characteristic of the early stages of the disease. In addition, the technology offers a therapeutic intervention during a critical window of opportunity.
Through gamified tasks lasting only a few minutes per day, the system could reduce the accumulation of the p-tau protein in the locus coeruleus, a brain structure particularly vulnerable to this alteration and considered one of the earliest affected sites in the pathological cascade of the disease. This intervention could lead to significant cognitive improvements and contribute to improving the quality of life of both patients and caregivers.
The proposed solution therefore offers the possibility of detecting, monitoring and treating the disease within a single remote and scalable platform, something that is difficult to achieve with current detection technologies.
Currently, more than 50% of Alzheimer’s cases go undetected in primary care, partly due to the lack of accessible tools and the complexity of existing diagnostic methods. Techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid analysis are accurate but invasive and costly, making their large-scale use and longitudinal monitoring difficult.
In this context, PreventAD is presented as a non-invasive, accessible and scalable alternative that can be used from home without the need for specialised personnel. This approach could help reduce progression to dementia by up to 40% thanks to early detection and intervention.
The technology is currently in the prototype development phase for clinical validation, with work focused on optimising oculomotor and pupillary analysis algorithms, as well as adapting the tool for older adults by improving usability to ensure adoption in real-world settings.
Transfer opportunities
The University of Barcelona, through the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation, is seeking collaborations with clinical and technological partners to promote the transfer of this innovation to the healthcare system and facilitate its market entry.
This new patent reinforces UB’s role as a leading institution in the generation and transfer of biomedical knowledge, helping to transform research into solutions with social impact and advancing towards a more preventive, accessible and sustainable healthcare model.