University of Liverpool-Led EU Project DORIAN GRAY Unveils AI-Driven Strategies to Bridge Heart and Brain Health

University of Liverpool-Led EU Project DORIAN GRAY Unveils AI-Driven Strategies to Bridge Heart and Brain Health

(IN BRIEF) The EU-funded DORIAN GRAY project, with the University of Liverpool as a key scientific partner, is set to explore the link between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Despite one in three CVD patients experiencing MCI, the condition often goes undiagnosed. This international collaboration, led by the University of Brescia and supported by 24 partners, aims to reveal how CVD factors—such as reduced blood flow and arterial stiffness—contribute to cognitive decline. Using real-world data from devices like smartwatches and smartphones combined with AI, the project will develop personalized risk models and digital tools, including a medical avatar for interactive cognitive training. With plans to analyze data from over 300,000 individuals and conduct a multi-country clinical trial coordinated by the Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre, DORIAN GRAY seeks to establish new prevention strategies that could potentially lower dementia cases by addressing common risk factors.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 26-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Liverpool has joined forces as a key partner in the EU-funded DORIAN GRAY project, a pioneering initiative that investigates the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Recent data suggest that one in three individuals with CVD also suffers from MCI, yet up to 80% of these cases remain undetected. Unlike dementia, MCI results in memory loss beyond what is expected from normal ageing, though its severity is comparatively lower. Jointly led by the University of Brescia, which coordinates the project, and the University of Liverpool, which oversees the scientific aspects, DORIAN GRAY brings together 24 international partners in alignment with the EU’s Horizon Europe health objectives.

The project is designed to uncover how cardiovascular conditions may accelerate cognitive decline by examining patient data, with a particular focus on those suffering from heart failure. Researchers believe that CVD might directly impact brain health through mechanisms such as diminished blood flow, micro-strokes, and arterial stiffness. Dr Riccardo Proietti, scientific coordinator from the University of Liverpool, explains, “For years, Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia were viewed as distinct diseases; however, emerging evidence now points to an interconnection. DORIAN GRAY aims to leverage biomarkers and cutting-edge AI to provide early risk assessment, thereby enhancing prevention strategies and developing a digital tool for cognitive health management.”

A standout feature of the initiative is its innovative use of real-world data sourced from smartwatches, mobile devices, and other digital platforms, which, when combined with AI, will help create personalized risk profiles and treatment plans. The project’s multifaceted approach aims to prevent the onset of MCI in at-risk populations, decelerate its progression to dementia, and mitigate the overall impact of cognitive decline. Among its novel innovations is a medical avatar—a digital coach designed to lead users through interactive, exercise-based cognitive training that not only enhances brain function but also promotes healthier lifestyle choices.

DORIAN GRAY’s ambitious goals include analyzing data from over 300,000 individuals across six countries to develop an AI-driven risk model, establishing a digital coaching system to foster healthy habits, and creating avatar-based exergaming that integrates physical and cognitive exercises. Additionally, a clinical trial targeting heart failure patients with MCI will be conducted, coordinated by the Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre under the leadership of Professor Carrol Gamble, across four European countries. The project will culminate in a comprehensive Health Technology Assessment to gauge its effectiveness and disseminate the findings among patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers throughout Europe.

By targeting modifiable risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and physical inactivity, DORIAN GRAY aspires to reduce dementia cases significantly, with projections indicating that a 5-10% reduction in these factors could prevent 1-2 million cases by 2050. This initiative marks a significant stride toward enhancing both cardiovascular and cognitive health, offering renewed hope for millions vulnerable to cognitive decline.

Media contacts:

Alison Cornmell
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0) 7771 700680
E: Alison.Cornmell@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool