Apple, Eli Lilly team up to study dementia

Apple and Eli Lilly have partnered on new research to determine whether health data from the iPhone and Apple Watch can detect early signs of dementia, according to CNBC

Research published this week shows that Apple and Eli Lilly have been working with health startup Evidation to find new ways to detect such cognitive diseases as Alzheimers with the help of consumer technology.

"With this research, we looked at how everyday behavior data, such as those captured by iPhones, Apple Watches, and Beddit sleep monitors, may be effective in differentiating between individuals with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease, and those without symptoms," Evidation co-founder Christine Lemke told CNBC.

The early stage study had an 82-person control group and 31 individuals with varying stages of dementia. Those who participated were asked to avoid taking medications that could affect the results. The study participants were given an iPhone, Apple Watch and the Apple Beddit sleep tracker.

Over the 12-week study period, researchers found that people with cognitive decline typed slower, sent fewer text messages and relied more on support apps than the control group.

The researchers didn't draw long-term conclusions from the study because more analysis is needed, according to the report. 

Read the full report here

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