Next-Generation Diagnostic and Therapy Systems for Neurodegenerative Diseases

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 612

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET), Purdue University, 401 N. Grant St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
Interests: cancer; electrochemotherapy; neurodegenerative diseases; aging; Parkinsons'; Alzhimer's
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Engineering Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
Interests: healthcare technology with embedded intelligence; digital/biomedical-embedded systems; biomedical signal/image processing; artificial intelligence; machine/deep learning

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (AD), and others, caused by the gradual deterioration of neurons in the brain represent one of the most significant challenges in modern medicine, as conditions like AD and dementia continue to impact millions worldwide. Despite the absence of a definitive cure, recent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies have opened new avenues for managing these debilitating disorders. This Special Issue focuses on exploring the transformative potential of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) models, machine learning techniques, deep learning techniques, and advanced neurostimulation systems for neurodegenerative diseases and other types of dementia or brain atrophy. These innovations could enable smarter diagnostics through brain imaging technologies and electroencephalogram (EEG) signal analysis for early detection, while paving the way for more precise and individualized treatment plans. The application of AI-driven approaches has the potential and promise to enhance our understanding of disease progression, enabling early intervention and improving outcomes for patients.

Of particular interest is the development and application of (invasive or non-invasive) neuromodulation techniques such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS). Combining these methods with cutting-edge AI/ML algorithms holds tremendous promise for optimizing therapy delivery and monitoring its effects in real time. These systems aim to not only slow disease progression but also enhance neural connectivity and brain function by leveraging electric stimulation. Contributions to this Special Issue are invited to advance the integration of sensing technologies, AI-driven analysis from brain signals or images, and neurostimulation therapies.

Submissions on these and related topics can include original research articles, reviews, or communications that address these areas and push the boundaries of smart diagnostics and therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Raji Sundararajan
Dr. Miad Faezipour
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Parkinson's disease
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • neurostimulation
  • neuromodulation
  • artificial intelligence models

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 360 KiB  
Article
Unveiling Early Signs of Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease Through ERP Analysis with Weighted Visibility Graphs and Ensemble Learning
by Yongshuai Liu, Jiangyi Xia, Ziwen Kan, Jesse Zhang, Sheela Toprani, James B. Brewer, Marta Kutas, Xin Liu and John Olichney
Bioengineering 2025, 12(8), 814; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12080814 - 29 Jul 2025
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Abstract
The early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is important for effective therapeutic interventions and optimized enrollment for clinical trials. Recent studies have shown high accuracy in identifying mild AD by applying visibility graph and machine learning methods to electroencephalographic (EEG) data. We present [...] Read more.
The early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is important for effective therapeutic interventions and optimized enrollment for clinical trials. Recent studies have shown high accuracy in identifying mild AD by applying visibility graph and machine learning methods to electroencephalographic (EEG) data. We present a novel analytical framework combining Weighted Visibility Graphs (WVG) and ensemble learning to detect individuals in the “preclinical” stage of AD (preAD) using a word repetition EEG paradigm, where WVG is an advanced variant of natural Visibility Graph (VG), incorporating weighted edges based on the visibility degree between corresponding data points. The EEG signals were recorded from 40 cognitively unimpaired elderly participants (20 preclinical AD and 20 normal old) during a word repetition task. Event-related potential (ERP) and oscillatory signals were extracted from each EEG channel and transformed into a WVG network, from which relevant topological features were extracted. The features were selected using t-tests to reduce noise. Subsequent statistical analysis reveals significant disparities in the structure of WVG networks between preAD and normal subjects. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to condense the input data into its principal features. Leveraging these PCA components as input features, several machine learning algorithms are used to classify preAD vs. normal subjects. To enhance classification accuracy and robustness, an ensemble method is employed alongside the classifiers. Our framework achieved an accuracy of up to 92% discriminating preAD from normal old using both linear and non-linear classifiers, signifying the efficacy of combining WVG and ensemble learning in identifying very early AD from EEG signals. The framework can also improve clinical efficiency by reducing the amount of data required for effective classification and thus saving valuable clinical time. Full article
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