Detecting Cognitive Flexibility Deficits in Aging: A Novel Approach Using Virtual Reality And Artificial Intelligence

This project, in collaboration between the Humane Technology Lab of the Catholic University of Sacred Heart (Milan, Italy) and the University of Pisa (Pisa, Italy), proposes a novel approach that combines VR assessment with ML and semantic network analysis. The aim is to detect early cognitive flexibility deficits by developing a new VR assessment through various changes in daily tasks. During these tasks, behavioral scores on VR tasks, such as commissions, omissions, perseverations, and scores on neuropsychological tests will be collected. The data collected will then be used to train different ML models, to identify specific patterns to predict cognitive flexibility levels. This methodology aims to provide a more ecologically valid understanding, specific to this cognitive domain.