Scientists at Rutgers University have developed an artificial intelligence that could help in detecting and understanding Crohn’s disease. This study was published in the journal of Genome Medicine, and aims to improve treatment by understanding the genetic signatures of those with Crohn’s disease. This AI computer method was proven to correctly and accurately predict thousands of people with whether they had or will have Crohn’s disease.
Yana Bromberg, who is an associate professor of Biochemistry and Microbiology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, is excited with the possibility of understanding and treating Crohn’s. He did want to clarify that this is not a clinical diagnosis tool as of yet. There is still much work to be done in this area, but this is an exciting discovery and could help us know more about the specific genes Chron’s effects. This may change how we treat the disease all together.
This study took genetic signatures of 111 people, 64 of whom had Crohn’s disease. Once collected, the scientist used a special computer method of AI to examine all the genes. This AI is able to pinpoint the genes that had changed functions. These changes were then cross referenced to the healthy patients’ genes. After these genetic variants were identified, they found some interesting results. In addition to 100% accuracy in predicting Chron’s, it also revealed genes previously thought not to be involved in Crohn’s. With the identification of these genes, scientists hope to be able to truly identify the origins of Crohn’s. If this can be done, we will be able to target and create medications specific to the genes it affects.
While this study shows promising results, it will need to be done again with a larger group of people to improve its accuracy. Bromberg says that this may not only provide a breakthrough in the treatment and diagnosis of Crohn’s, but other autoimmune and genetically linked diseases as well. If the molecular reasons behind diseases like Chron’s can be fully understood, better treatments and quality of life can be achieved for patients in the future.
Want to check out the study for yourself? Take a look HERE!
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