Researchers at a Japanese university have devised an artificial intelligence (AI) based test to help detect early signs of dementia in patients. It is hoped that the new clinical system will lead to better treatments of the disease earlier, as it doesn't involve invasive medical imaging. Currently, scans are used in conjunction with cognitive function tests, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) – a combination that can be expensive, time-consuming, and distressing for some patients. However, an ageing population means that more people are developing the disease, hence the need to pursue faster, smarter, and easier-to-use tests. Helping patients to identify problems sooner may also help them stave off the effects of some conditions, and manage them more effectively.