New AI-powered tool to transform type 1 diabetes diagnosis, treatment
Australian researchers have pioneered a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool to assess the risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D).
The tool, developed by researchers at Western Sydney University, predicts treatment responses, potentially changing how the disease is diagnosed and managed.
The tool utilises an innovative risk score — Dynamic Risk Score (DRS4C) which can classify individuals as having or not having T1D.
It is based on microRNAs — small RNA molecules measured from blood — to help accurately capture the changing risk of T1D.
“T1D risk prediction is timely, with therapies that can delay T1D progression becoming recognised and available. Since early-onset T1D before the age of 10 years is particularly aggressive and linked to up to 16 years of reduced life expectancy, accurately predicting progression gives doctors a powerful tool to intervene sooner,” said Professor Anand Hardikar, lead investigator from the University’s School of Medicine and Translational Health Research Institute.