16.07.2025

Teaser image to  AI-Powered Cortical Mapping for Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnoses - with Christian Wachinger

AI-Powered Cortical Mapping for Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnoses - With Christian Wachinger

Research Film

Christian Wachinger, Professor of AI in Radiology at the Technical University of Munich and PI at MCML, is developing AI systems to precisely reconstruct the brain’s cortex — an extremely thin and highly folded sheet of neural tissue — in order to measure it for diagnostic use.

«One of the challenges is that a typical cortical thickness of a person is between two to three millimeters. So you can imagine when we have to manually try to assess the thickness of the cortex, this is a very challenging task.»


Christian Wachinger

MCML PI

Cortical thickness is a key indicator in neurodegenerative conditions like dementia, but measuring it accurately is technically demanding. MRI scans have limited resolution, and the cortex’s intricate folds make manual measurement nearly impossible. To overcome this, Wachinger uses deep learning models that can reconstruct the cortex in 3D, capturing its boundaries with high precision.

Algorithms are able to identify patterns it has learned from thousands of annotated brain scans — such as the thinning of the cortex in specific areas — and search for similar features in new images. This allows it not only to make powerful diagnoses but also to provide a transparent explanation for its decision.

Watch in Full Quality on youTube

The film was produced and edited by Nicole Huminski and Nikolai Huber.

 


Subscribe to RSS News feed

Related

Link to Machine Learning for Climate Action - with researcher Kerstin Forster

29.09.2025

Machine Learning for Climate Action - With Researcher Kerstin Forster

Kerstin Forster researches how AI can cut emissions, boost renewable energy, and drive corporate sustainability.

Link to Björn Ommer featured in WELT

26.09.2025

Björn Ommer Featured in WELT

MCML PI Björn Ommer told WELT that AI can never be entirely neutral and that human judgment remains essential.

Link to Björn Schuller featured in Macwelt article

25.09.2025

Björn Schuller Featured in Macwelt Article

MCML PI Björn Schuller discusses in Macwelt how Apple Watch monitors health, detects subtle changes, and supports early intervention.

Link to MCML PI Björn Ommer featured on ZDF NANO Talk

24.09.2025

MCML PI Björn Ommer Featured on ZDF NANO Talk

MCML PIs Björn Ommer & Alena Buyx discuss AI’s essence on ZDF NANO Talk, covering tech, ethics, and societal impact.

Link to Benjamin Lange Explores Opportunities and Risks of AI Agents

23.09.2025

Benjamin Lange Explores Opportunities and Risks of AI Agents

Benjamin Lange highlights both opportunities and ethical risks of AI agents and calls for clear rules to ensure they benefit society.

Back to Top