Hybrid deep learning model for brain age prediction using time-distributed convolutional and bidirectional LSTM networks

Brain age prediction has gained significant attention due to its strong correlation with neurological and cognitive disorders. The discrepancy between an individual's chronological age and their predicted brain age-known as the Brain Age Gap-has been linked to conditions such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive decline, and lifestyle factors like stress and poor health. A positive Brain Age Gap is often associated with accelerated aging and neurodegeneration, highlighting the need for precise and reliable estimation methods. In this study, we propose a novel deep learning model that incorporates time-distributed, convolutional and bidirectional LSTM layers for brain age estimation. Using MRI data from the OpenBHB dataset, processed through Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM), our model undergoes rigorous preprocessing, including outlier detection, data augmentation, and MRI slice selection, to enhance learning efficiency. The model is optimized with the Adam optimizer with a scheduled learning-rate decay and evaluated using Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and [Formula: see text] Score. Experimental results demonstrate that our model achieves an MAE of 3.1573 years, outperforming previous methods and improving brain age prediction accuracy. These findings underscore the importance of advances in deep learning and data preprocessing in enhancing brain age estimation.