AI Tracks Brain Aging in Real-Time

FEATURED RESEARCH

AI-Powered MRI Scans Accurately Track How Fast Your Brain Is Aging

Most of us think of aging in terms of birthdays. But what if your brain is aging faster than the rest of you?

Researchers at the University of Southern California have built an AI model that tracks brain aging in real-time, offering a glimpse into cognitive health long before symptoms appear.

A better way to measure brain aging: The AI analyzes MRI scans over time, detecting structural changes that signal accelerated aging.

Unlike blood tests, which provide an incomplete picture, or single MRI snapshots, which can’t track progression, this model follows brain aging as it happens.

When tested on over 3,000 scans, it accurately predicted brain aging speed, closely matching declines in memory and processing ability.

Why this matters: Faster brain aging increases the risk of dementia, but by the time symptoms emerge, much of the damage is already done.

Catching abnormal aging earlier could give doctors a chance to intervene before cognitive decline becomes irreversible.

What’s next? The AI isn’t diagnosing diseases yet, but researchers found that brain aging patterns differ between men and women, helping explain why Alzheimer’s affects them differently.

As the model improves, it could be a powerful tool for tracking brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases before they take hold.

For more details: Full Article 

Brain Booster

Select the right answer! (See explanation below)

🏆 Last week’s poll results: 28% got it right.

Opinion and Perspectives

HEALTHCARE AI TRUST

Physicians Warn AI-Powered Prior Authorization is Making an Already Broken System Worse

Health insurers are increasingly using AI to automate prior authorization (PA) decisions, a process where doctors must get approval from insurance companies before prescribing certain medications or procedures.

Insurers argue that PA helps control costs and prevent unnecessary treatments, but physicians see it as a major hurdle that delays care and burdens patients with red tape.

A new survey from the American Medical Association (AMA) shows AI-powered PA is making things much worse.

A System Already Struggling: Prior authorization has long frustrated doctors and patients. Requiring insurer approval before treatment often means long waits, canceled procedures, or patients paying out of pocket. The AMA’s latest survey paints a grim picture:

• 93% of physicians report care delays due to PA.

• 82% say PA sometimes leads to treatment abandonment.

• 1 in 4 physicians have seen PA contribute to serious patient harm.

AI Makes It Worse: AI was supposed to streamline PA, but 61% of physicians say AI-powered systems are increasing denials. Many of these decisions happen with little or no human review, leaving patients stuck in limbo while insurers reject treatments automatically.

Physicians also report a 75% increase in PA denials over the last five years. Some are so disillusioned they don’t even bother appealing, expecting denials to stand regardless of medical necessity.

The Push for Oversight: The AMA is calling for regulatory action to ensure AI is used responsibly in prior authorization.

Without safeguards, automated denials could lead to worse patient outcomes, higher healthcare costs, and rising physician burnout. AI in healthcare should support doctors, not create more barriers to care!

For more details: Full Article

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Product Pipeline

PATIENT-FRIENDLY RADIOLOGY

PocketHealth’s AI Image Reader Helps Patients Understand CT and X-Ray Scans with Visual Labels

Medical imaging can feel overwhelming, but PocketHealth’s new Image Reader makes it easier for patients to interpret their CT and X-ray scans.

Using AI-powered anatomical identification, the tool automatically labels organs and bones, providing clear visual context for a more intuitive understanding.

This feature builds on PocketHealth’s mission to empower patients, complementing tools like Report Reader for simplified radiology reports and MyCare Navigator for personalized healthcare guidance.

By bringing AI directly to patients, PocketHealth is making medical imaging more accessible and conversations with doctors more informed.

For more details: Full Article

Policy and Ethics

AI REGULATION

How Oregon is Regulating AI in Healthcare with New Legislation

Oregon lawmakers are taking steps to regulate AI in healthcare with House Bill 2748, which would prohibit AI from using protected nursing titles such as “nurse practitioner” or “certified nursing assistant.”

While the bill does not ban AI in patient care, it ensures that only licensed professionals can hold these titles, preventing potential misinformation and reinforcing public trust.

Beyond healthcare, other bills target AI-generated harms: Senate Bill 626 expands child sexual abuse laws to include AI-generated content, Senate Bill 414 criminalizes sharing AI-created explicit images, and House Bill 2230 penalizes AI-generated digital forgeries.

With federal action stalled, Oregon is moving proactively to set ethical AI boundaries.

For more details: Full Article

Byte-Sized Break

📢 Three Things AI Did This Week

• Hong Kong will cut 10,000 civil service jobs and freeze salaries while investing $1.29B in AI and innovation to tackle an $11.2B deficit, weakened by a struggling property sector. [Link]

• Memphis is using AI-powered cameras on city vehicles to detect and prioritize pothole repairs, a system developed with Google and SpringML that has already helped fix over 1,700 potholes. [Link]

• Trump faced backlash on Truth Social after sharing an AI-generated video depicting a futuristic, resort-style Gaza, featuring himself and a topless Netanyahu, which critics called "poor taste" and "idolatrous." [Link]

Have a Great Weekend!

Trivia Answer: B) 30 years old

Research shows that the brain's volume starts to decline in our 30s or 40s, with noticeable shrinkage accelerating around age 60. While this is a natural part of aging, regions like the hippocampus (memory) and prefrontal cortex (decision-making) are particularly affected. However, lifestyle choices (regular exercise, a healthy diet, mental engagement, and social activity) can help slow cognitive decline and support long-term brain health.