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Diagnosing depression and bipolar disorder might be as simple as a few clicks of a mouse.
That’s what CSIRO research has suggested. A team from the national science agency has developed a computer game that uses artificial intelligence to help clinicians diagnose and characterise complex mental health disorders.
The game presented individuals with two choices and the researchers were able to identify behavioural patterns in the responses of subjects with depression and bipolar disorder.
A screenshot of the game.
Neuroscientist Dr Amir Dezfouli said: “Currently 69 per cent of bipolar patients are initially misdiagnosed, and around one-third of these patients might remain misdiagnosed for 10 years or more.
“If we can understand how the brain works, we can develop more accurate processes for diagnosis and more effective treatments for people with mental health disorders.
“Artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques allow us to analyse complex datasets and make accurate models of the brain processes involved in psychiatric disorders."
Looking at the “granular detail” of mental disorders could help clinicians develop more personalised treatment plans, he added.
The researchers are looking to partner with hospitals and mental health research centres to conduct further research to validate the technique for real-world use.
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