KDCA-backed BRIDGE data platform advances early detection research for dementia, Parkinson’s

Government-supported research has established a pathway for the early diagnosis of dementia and Parkinson's disease, addressing the longstanding challenge of detecting these conditions before symptoms intensify.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on Friday that the National Institute of Health (NIH) will publish a compilation of key research findings.

This compilation, produced through the government-funded “Brain disease Research Infrastructure for Data Gathering and Exploration (BRIDGE),” details numerous core research achievements in elucidating the pathogenesis of dementia and Parkinson's disease, as well as early diagnosis and prognosis prediction.

A pathway for early diagnosis of dementia and Parkinson's disease -- conditions often difficult to diagnose early and frequently identified only after symptoms become pronounced -- has been established through state-supported research. (Credit: Getty Images)

The NIH conducted research analyzing long-term tracking data, including brain imaging (PET/MRI) and clinical indicators, and applied artificial intelligence techniques to examine disease progression pathways and risk levels. It identified patterns of change occurring before symptoms fully manifest.

For example, researchers used a deep learning model to process extensive MRI datasets and precisely quantify individual brain alterations. This provided a platform for proactively flagging patient groups at risk of rapid disease progression.

The NIH also advanced research on intervention and management strategies applicable to public and clinical settings, clarifying the relationships among physical activity levels, blood biomarkers, and cognitive function. Analysis of physical activity levels, blood-based Alzheimer's disease biomarkers (p-tau217, NfL, and GFAP), and cognitive function indicators in 1,144 Korean adults revealed that individuals with higher physical activity levels had lower levels of neurodegenerative biomarkers and relatively superior cognitive function.

The Alzheimer's disease biomarker p-tau217 is a blood marker that sensitively indicates early neurofibrillary tangle formation by measuring the tau protein’s phosphorylation at position 217, which directly correlates with Alzheimer's pathology. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) increases in blood and cerebrospinal fluid following neuronal axonal injury, and levels rise across many neurodegenerative disorders. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) indexes glial activation and neuroinflammation, serving as an early warning of brain inflammation.

Another achievement is the Korean cohort’s group-specific analysis. This study found new genetic factors for rare early-onset dementia with aphasia and identified Alzheimer's risk factors unique to Koreans, revealing distinctive disease features.

Additionally, in the field of Parkinson's disease, cohort studies of Korean patients clarified associations between non-motor symptoms and disease characteristics, including changes in cardiac sympathetic function, olfactory decline, and metabolic factors. These research findings, published in major academic journals, provide a foundation for understanding the disease and for developing management strategies that reflect Korean-specific clinical manifestations.

The NIH explained, “BRIDGE project outcomes are first-stage results that can expand to early diagnosis and prediction of dementia and Parkinson's, and form the basis of intervention technologies and disease management strategies tailored for Koreans.”

KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan said, "This compilation of achievements highlights the significance of establishing a national cohort and data infrastructure."

Lim added, “We will continue to produce results that advance early diagnosis, prevention, and tailored management technologies for dementia and Parkinson’s, building on our research in brain disorders.”