2nd Edition of Public Health World Conference (PHWC) 2026
Speakers - PHWC2026
Dr. Varshini Murugan
Dr. Varshini Murugan
- Designation: NEURAX Cognitive Solutions Private Limited
- Country: India
- Title: NEURAX: A Smartphone Based AI Enabled Cognitive Screening Platform for Post Stroke Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Stroke is a leading cause of disability globally, with approximately 1.8 million cases reported annually in India. Up to 40–50% of stroke survivors develop Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI), characterized by deficits in memory, attention, and executive function, often progressing to dementia. Despite this significant burden, fewer than 1% of patients undergo routine cognitive screening post-stroke. Existing assessment tools such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and ICMR Neurocognitive Test Battery are paper-based, time-intensive (up to 60 minutes), require trained specialists, and are largely restricted to tertiary care settings. This creates a critical gap in early detection and longitudinal monitoring, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the study protocol for a feasibility pilot evaluating NEURAX, a smartphone-based, AI-enabled cognitive screening platform designed for early detection and longitudinal monitoring of post-stroke cognitive decline.
METHODS
This study is designed as a single-arm, prospective feasibility pilot involving 50 post-stroke patients recruited from a hospital setting in India. Participants will undergo a supervised baseline cognitive assessment followed by unsupervised monthly home-based testing over a 3-month period using the NEURAX application. Each assessment is expected to take approximately 15 minutes. The platform digitizes clinically validated cognitive tests, including the Clock Drawing Test and Trail Making Test, and captures digital biomarkers such as drawing speed, hesitation time, temporal patterns, and error characteristics. These data are processed to generate cognitive risk indicators and longitudinal trends. Primary feasibility outcomes include recruitment rate (>60%), retention rate (>80% completing at least two follow-up assessments), patient satisfaction (target >4 on a 5-point Likert scale), average test duration (<20 minutes), and technical performance (app stability and usability). Secondary outcomes include test–retest reliability and exploratory correlation with standard clinical cognitive assessments.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The study is expected to demonstrate feasibility, usability, and patient acceptability of smartphone-based cognitive screening in post-stroke populations. Data on adherence, engagement, and system performance will inform iterative refinement of the platform and guide the design of larger multi-site validation studies.
CONCLUSION
NEURAX represents a scalable, AI-enabled framework for longitudinal cognitive surveillance in post-stroke populations. By enabling early detection and continuous monitoring outside traditional clinical settings, it has the potential to improve patient outcomes and strengthen public health responses to cognitive impairment in resource-limited environments.
2nd Edition of Public Health World Conference (PHWC) 2026
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