DeepCeres enhances cerebellum analysis for disease diagnosis

Researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València and the French National Centre for Scientific Research have created new software called DeepCeres. This software allows for advanced study of the cerebellum, a small but critical part of the brain, using high-resolution NMR images. DeepCeres is designed to help diagnose and research diseases like ALS, schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer's. The cerebellum, although small, contains about 50% of all brain neurons and is crucial for cognitive, emotional, and motor functions. Sergio Morell-Ortega, a researcher involved in the project, noted that understanding the cerebellum’s complex anatomy has been a significant challenge in the past. Traditional imaging techniques struggled to differentiate its structures. However, DeepCeres has overcome these difficulties, making it the most accurate tool available for measuring the cerebellum. The software can analyze 27 structures within the cerebellum and provides much more precise results than earlier methods by using artificial intelligence. It upgrades standard resonance images to ultra-high resolution. This enhancement allows researchers to gain detailed anatomical information without requiring high-quality initial data. DeepCeres is especially useful for studying neurological conditions like cerebellar ataxia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as psychiatric disorders. Recent studies also link cerebellum structure to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Since its launch five months ago, the software has processed images from nearly 15,000 cerebellums and is available through an online platform for use by medical and research professionals worldwide. Its most significant impact has been seen in the United States and China. Other research teams and medical institutions in Spain contributed to this innovative project.