On February 2, 2026, a project titled “From Community Screening to Neuroimaging: Training for Early Detection of Cognitive Decline in Baltic–German Collaboration” was launched at the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University. The project is implemented within the framework of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office and is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. The consortium brings together Vilnius University (VU, Lithuania), Riga Stradiņš University (RSU, Latvia), and Universitätsklinikum Jena (UKJ, Germany), combining complementary expertise in neuroimaging and biomarkers (VU), test adaptation (RSU), and clinical dementia research (UKJ). Vilnius University is the leading organization in the consortium. The project leader at Vilnius University is Prof. Inga Griškova-Bulanova.
The project focuses on cognitive decline, culminating in dementia, which poses a significant public health challenge in Europe. Early detection is crucial for timely interventions that delay deterioration, enhance quality of life, and reduce hospital burdens, while also fostering low-cost prevention in community settings. However, current practices are fragmented: assessment tools lack adaptation to local populations, biomarkers are not fully integrated into practice, and methodological variability complicates reproducibility in research. To address these challenges, this project seeks to bridge the gap between community screening and advanced neuroimaging for early detection. It emphasizes Baltic–German cooperation, combining methodological expertise, clinical perspectives, and innovative functional neuroimaging techniques.
The project’s novelty lies in integrating accessible and scalable functional biomarkers (EEG, fNIRS, eye tracking) within a cohesive framework that includes test adaptation and clinical cohort development. Capacity-building is a core component, facilitated through workshops, bootcamps, and a conference. These initiatives aim to equip both early-career and established researchers with essential skills, leading to outputs like systematic review protocols and methodological frameworks that extend beyond the project's duration.
Project start date: February 2, 2026.
Project end date: October 31, 2026.
Project funding: this project of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic Germany.
