Neurodiagnostics in Public Health: Cognitive Decline, Mental Health, and Emerging Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

Neurocognitive disorders such as dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and neuropsychiatric diseases are increasing globally and impose a substantial burden on healthcare systems and public health policy. Their detection in the earliest stages and precise diagnosis are important for early intervention and better patient outcomes.

This Special Issue covers the interface between neurodiagnostics, public health, and cognitive neuroscience with a focus on new diagnostic approaches, psychological testing, and influences of environmental and epidemiological factors on cognitive capacity. Developments in biomarkers, artificial intelligence, digital diagnosis, and public health interventions provide encouraging avenues for early detection and intervention.

We invite original studies, systematic reviews, and clinical case studies examining novel diagnostic strategies that harness the strengths of neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, and public health frameworks.

Topics of Interest Include:

• Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology:
• Novel neuropsychological tools for early cognitive impairment detection;
• The relationship between cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia);
• Cognitive dysfunction in post-viral syndromes (e.g., post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment).
• Biomarkers and Imaging in Neurodiagnostics:
• Advances in neuroimaging (fMRI, PET, EEG) for diagnosing cognitive disorders;
• Blood-based and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases;
• Multi-omics approaches (genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) in cognitive decline.
• Public Health and Epidemiological Aspects of Cognitive Decline:
• Environmental risk factors for cognitive impairment (air pollution, toxins, or infections);
• Public health screening programs for the early detection of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases;
• Socioeconomic and lifestyle determinants of cognitive health.
• Digital and AI-Driven Diagnostics:
• AI and machine learning applications in cognitive assessment and early diagnosis;
• Wearable and mobile technologies for cognitive monitoring;
• Digital biomarkers and remote neuropsychological testing.

By bringing together cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology, and public health, this Special Issue seeks to drive early diagnostic solutions for neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders. It will deliver a roadmap for how interdisciplinarity can lead to more accurate, affordable, and scalable diagnostics.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Healthcare.

Dr. Evgenia Gkintoni
Prof. Dr. Apostolos Vantarakis
Guest Editors

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