Sponsor: Spry Learning Company

• Project duration: 10/1/2004 - 9/30/2007
• Total project (est.): $1,933,290
• Requested ATP funds: $1,447,290

The aging of American society - there are currently 35 million adults aged 65 and older and the number is projected to grow to 70 million by 2030 - has brought into sharp focus the costs and impact on families of age-associated cognitive decline. Alzheimer's disease in particular is a growing and costly problem ($100 billion annually) and there is as yet no generally effective means for delaying or treating the disease. Earlier detection of cognitive impairment could make a significant difference, both in the efficacy of treatment and our ability to study the disease, but it is rare. Traditional cognitive tests provide only a coarse assessment of the patient's abilities and offer little insight into very complex diseases. These tests are currently administered infrequently and usually only after a cognitive problem is self-evident and the disease is significantly advanced. Spry Learning Company proposes an innovative software system designed to monitor and possibly remediate cognitive decline in older adults by tracking a user's interactions with both their conventional computer applications, as well as new adaptive and interactive cognitive computer tasks. The core idea is to develop algorithms that unobtrusively measure and monitor a user's cognitive abilities through natural interactions with computer applications used on a frequent basis. Embedding cognitive tests within routine computer applications will allow at-risk individuals to be monitored on a continuing basis in their usual surroundings and without pressure. One of Spry's goals is to develop home-based monitoring software that is able to detect cognitive decline at a much earlier stage, when treatments are likely to be more effective. In addition, recent research demonstrates an association between cognitively stimulating activities and long-term cognitive functioning. Using the same cognitive monitoring tools, Spry will design and test for possible improvement in the user's general cognitive performance and functional independence. The research is at an early stage and involves several major obstacles, including design of the cognitive assessment algorithms and tying the measurements to more conventional cognitive assessment tests. The company is a small start-up with only limited backing, and ATP support will allow it to accelerate work by at least two years. Early intervention facilitated by this system is likely to provide significant health, independence, and financial benefits both to elders and their family caregivers. In addition, the global impact for such a system is quite large. All told, the cost of care for the 4.5 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease is $100 billion a year, with families bearing the brunt of that cost. The average lifetime cost of an Alzheimer's patient is $174,000. Each year the onset of Alzheimer's is delayed gives a family another year with a healthy and independent parent and saves them an estimated $21,750.

For project information:

Devin Williams, (503) 229-0880
devin@sprylearning.com

ATP Project Manager

Christopher Currens, 301-975-8503
christopher.currens@nist.gov

This is the fact sheet for this project as it was announced on September 28, 2004.
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