Red-KPLS Feature Reduction with 1D-ResNet50: Deep Learning Approach for Multiclass Alzheimer’s Staging

The early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is essential for improving patient outcomes, enabling timely intervention, and slowing disease progression. However, the complexity of neuroimaging data presents significant obstacles to accurate classification. This study introduces a computationally efficient AI framework designed to enhance AD staging using structural MRI. The proposed method integrates discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for multi-scale feature extraction, a novel reduced kernel partial least squares (Red-KPLS) algorithm for feature reduction, and ResNet-50 for classification. The proposed technique, referred to as Red-KPLS-CNN, refines MRI features into discriminative biomarkers while minimizing redundancy. As a result, the framework achieves 96.9% accuracy and an F1-score of 97.8% in the multiclass classification of AD cases using the Kaggle dataset. The dataset was strategically partitioned into 60% training, 20% validation, and 20% testing sets, preserving class balance throughout all splits. The integration of Red–KPLS enhances feature selection, reducing dimensionality without compromising diagnostic sensitivity. Compared to conventional models, our approach improves classification robustness and generalization, reinforcing its potential for scalable and interpretable AD diagnostics. These findings emphasize the importance of hybrid wavelet–kernel–deep learning architectures, offering a promising direction for advancing computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) in clinical applications.